Camp Beaver, Sunday

morning Sept 21^st 1862

Dear Sarah when I rote to you last we had been ordred to pull down our tents and march some other place in a notice of five minits time well our tents was taken down and immedeally orders came to put them up again which we did and have remained here ever since guarding the rail rode from being torn up by the rebels. I wrote to you that I would not rite to you untill the return of Cap^t Marlin to this camp he has not yet returned he is now in Harrisburg will arive here to morrow or next day and then we expect to get our pay I will send you/mony as scoon as I receive it for I know that you are in nead for the last eight days thy have been dreadfull fiting in the western southern part of this state The rebels crosed the Potmack at Harpers ferry after a severe battel came on to Chaimbersburg faut a severe battel their the following day thy a seve battel was faut at Hagerstown the next day was faut a severe battel at Fredrick This place is about twenty miles of our Camp we we could here the sound of the canons plain while the fiting was going on within the last eight days has been faut six of the severest battels that has been since the war commenced thy have been at least thirty five thousand men kiled on each side but the army of the Potamack has been victorios in every battel the rebels is retreating to Richmond generial McClelland is following them closely we expect to hear of the surrender of Rich/mond in a few days I sean it stated in a Baltimore paper that Capt. E.R. Brady was kild in a battel this week it is said that the number kild on both sides is awfull—Dear Sarah we do not now how long we will remain in this camp we may be one week or perhaps three or six months for what we know our camp is situated near to the side of the rail Rode fourteen miles from Baltimore The cars are runing constantly conveying soldiers back and forward Thy are thousands of soldiers pases here every day princeply from New York and other states I have sean more men and soldirs since I left home then I ever sean in all my life I think in the corse of a week I will get a situation in the hospitel if I do it will release me in a measure from the dainger and fetique of a soldier and a great deal eiser work Dear Sarah I have not heard from you since I left home I expect to receive a letter from you on the return of Capt Marlin I am/getting very uneasy about you I do hope that you are well and getting along Dear Sarah do not fret or morn on my account let my fourtain be what it may a soldier has no shurety of his life in this rebel country fourtain and fate must deside it all and we should not murmer at the ways and will of our creaetor but submit to all things as thy come—Dear Sarah I have been and is now engoying good health I like camp life very well except sleaping on the ground at nite but I am getting somewhat accustomed to it it is healthy in this camp thy are but very few sick here all appear to be healthy and in good spirits all wishing for a fite with the rebels. I have much more to rite to you but must conclude for the want of paper write to me as scon as you can and let me know the perticulars of your situation and health Direct your letter to me at Camp Beaver 148 Reg P. V Company I care of Cap^t Maraland Baltimore County Maryland—good by from your husband

                                                                                                                        W.Rodgers

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