Camp Jackson                        

Washington Aug 4^th

 

Dear Mother

                        As I have a little time I thought it would not hurt me to write a letter home to day. This is Sunday but a person would not know it if it was not that the almanac says so. We are getting along very well but our boys growl very much about the heat. it is very warm now and has been ever since we have been here except two days that it rained. I have not been to the city since a week ago yesterday. Soldiers are not allowed in the city if found there they are arrested and confined until some of their officers get a release from General Mansfield. We were paid yesterday I received $36. for which I am very thankful for which I am very for I was entirely out of money. I have not had / any since I left Camp Wright except about 20 cents. I have needed some very bad sometimes I think I will send about 25 or 30 dollars home if I have any chance for if I keep it here I am liable to have it stolen.

 

I was out of camp to day, went out back of the camp about 2 miles and got a nice mess of blackberries and some peaches. There are some of the most beautiful residences about here that I ever saw.

 

            There are not many slaves here although I seen several to day they are mostly house servants and appear to be well contented I think they fare much better than the free negros do in and about New Brighton

 

We had preaching in camp to day by our Regimental Chaplain he is not much of a Preacher in my estimation

 

            The pay master has been paying all day I think that we will leave here shortly I think you would have laughed to see / us marching out here the day we came from Washington, it is about two miles. We had never carried any knapsacks and did not know how it would go. some of the boys were loaded down like pack horses. I had my knapsack pretty full and a heavy army blanket strapped on the back of it. besides that I had a haversack, canteen cartridge box, musket, sword, and bayonet. If we had got into a fight there is one thing certain we would not have retreated for we were so loaded down that we could not make much speed.

 

            We have just received orders to march to morrow morning at three oclock. we are to go about 7 or 8 miles up the river from Washington. It is now 4 oclock and I have got to commence packing up I have got a chest and am going to pack all my traps except my arms into it I think I wont carry such a load again as I brought / out here. We have a four horse wagon and I will get my chest put in.

 

Give my love to Father, Grandmother and all the children.

           

I remain your affectionate son

J. S. Winans

 

PS        Address

J. S. Winans

Co H. 9^th Reg. P.R.C.

Care Col Jackson

Washington D C

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