Head Quarters 3d Reg. Maryland Vols., U.S.A.

Camp at Snickersville V^a

July 21^st 1863.

           

Dear Hester

                                    Your kind and most welcome letter of the 11^th and the papers came safe to hand on the 17^th and I was happy to hear from you once more and to know that you are enjoying good health which is a great blessing

 

Since my last to you we have met with great success. yes the Army of the Potomac has at last gained a victory. We have driven the Rebs out of Pennsylvania and Maryland and are now pursuing them in Virginia. All our Armies are doing well now and I hope they will continue as they begun. I think our cause looks very cheering. Vicksburg & Port Hudson taken and Charleston in a fair way to be taken, and Lee's army in a scattered condition and making for Richmond with all possible dispatch for fear [?] will get there ahead of him and the Army of the Potomac after them; indeed I think the Rebellion is in a fair way of being crushed very speedily too I hope. North Carolina talks of coming into the Union again that looks encouraging for the Union cause Our boys are in fine spirits and seek for another engagement with Lee with determination that knows no equal. every man knows that the time to strike the fatal (to Rebellion) blow has at length arrived and all are eager to begin the strife. As for me, I am as eager as any one and say the sooner the blow is struck the better because it will be the sooner ended

 

What ails the people of New York to kick up such a fuss just as our Armies are so victorious one would think they would volunteer immediately when they see how well we are progressing and help restore the Union to its former place among Nations. But they act just the contrary way and get up a riot on a large scale. Nothing could please the Southern Confed / -eracy better than this same riot. Ex Mayor Wood I think is at the head of it although he very prudently keeps in the background now that he has got the Ball in motion. according to newspaper accounts it has been a most horrible affair But I trust you have received no insult or injury from the hands of the mob. Oh how I would like to be there with one hundred (100) good men I think I could do considerable towards quelling the riot. I hope the military force there will use powder and ball freely and with good effect too

 

Every man who has a hand in the affair ought to be shot. But I trust ere this reaches you that peace will be restored in the Empire City

 

Talk about eating soup I had a fine dinner of turtle soup last Saturday one of our boys caught a large turtle in the Potomac River and made a pot of soup it was very good I can assure you. Turtle soup for dinner that's living high ain't it.

 

You say you don't blame the Ladies (dear creatures) for treating us so kind and you think you would do the same if you was here. Now I think you could do a great deal better than the Ladies here although they do very well for country people. Here in Virginia it's just the contrary way Every one you meet looks at you as if they would swallow you at one gulp but that is nothing we are used to it

 

I spent the Fourth of July very poor although it was a great day with us being the end of the Gettysburg Battles it rained most all day and we being in line of Battle could not put up our tents consequently we were wet through all day. If you have lost two of your back teeth I'm sure you are not liable to the draft but if they should draft you let me know and I will go in your place

 

You say you want me to get you a Beau out here I dont know of any one I can recommend better than your humble servant myself / What say you

You speak very true when you say it is hard marching this hot weather it is very hard work but we do not mind it much now it was very hard last summer but we have got used to it now. besides it's all for the Union. It is some consolation to know that you think of me when you are marching to and from the shop

If you was here to see what a dash I made with my neck-tie I'm sure you would be pleased I know it is far superior to Dave Lash's accept my thanks for it, the card and the papers. the papers have taken up my spare time they are read with a great deal of interest not by me alone but by the whole company as soon as I get through reading I lend them to the boys they go from one to the other until they go through the company

 

Have you been on any picnic's this summer or does the war put a stop to picnic's how are all the boys and girls getting along have any of the boys been drafted yet

 

Mother told me in her last letter that Garie was very sick with the Diphtheria I hope it will not prove fatal

 

And now dear Hester having given you all the news I will bring this long letter to a close

 

Remaining as ever

Yours truly

Robert S. Stedman

                                   

Write soon and address as before /

 

[in another hand]

 

New York July 30^th/63

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