Camp Near Downesville Md

October 5^th 1862

                       

Dear Sister,

                                                It is now two weeks ago to day since I wrote my last letter to you and just as long since I have received one from you your last was dated the eleventh of September so it has been almost a month since you wrote the last one. There is something or other got into the mails that is the reason that we do not get letters oftener. We got our last mail a week ago tomorrow, and when we shall have another is more than I can tell. But I hope before long

 

All the time we have been on the march we would get our letters regularly enough and it seems as though we might now. / You must not wonder what is the matter with me that I write in such a manner, so poor I mean, for I haint got room in my "hotel" to sit upright as folks generally do, but have to write laying on my side Parkhurst and Corey are both writing so we have to be pretty economical of our room in order to be within seeing distance of the candle. My elbow makes the ground feel awful sore under me I have been resting on it so long. I guess I shall have to change position by the right flank and see if that will go any easier. I wish I had Ma's old cheese board out here to write on or else that had me at home writing on it there. I believe the last would suit me best. Talking about home makes me think that I dreamed last night that I was at home and discharged too. But it did not last long for pretty soon "rat, tat, tat," the / drum sounded for reveille, so I had to get up and put on my rags and fall into line to answer roll call Almost every day I see Major Parker Parker, (the paper keeps crowding around so I cant write so you can read it.) of the tenth Mass. and his looks and motions are so near like Mrs. Jo's that I could not hardly keep from going up and having a talk with him but the dogs of it is I shouldnt know what to say if I begun. So I have come to the conclusion to wait for him to speak first. so it may be some time before we have a very long argument with each other.

 

Day before yesterday we were reviewed together with Franklins corps by his Excellency the President of the U.S. accompanied by McClellan and three other brig Major generals. Old Abe looked like an old shack. he was on horse back his feet almost dragged / the ground. you remember that little cream colored horse John used to own don't you. well Abe looked about as John used to on his horse. he come trotting along on to the field and every little while we he would bring his hand down on the top of his high black hat and drive it down on his head almost over his eyes. he looked a good deal as Jed used to with his tall hat on. He looked as though he was completely jagged out he looked poorer than he used to last year and then I used to think he was as poor as a shark. he was all covered with dust, which made him look as bad as he could look without taking extra pains.

 

The nights here are beginning to feel a little kule. I have been writing all the evening with my coat off sleeves rolled up and bare footed but it begins to feel as though the blanket would not be any to warm so I will go to bed, and see what I shall dream of to night.

                                                                                                                       

L. C. Cook.

 

[front top margin upside down]

 

a mail this morning so I will not seal my letter till I see if there is a letter for me.

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