Head Quarters 3d Reg. Maryland Vols.,

Camp at Kellys Ford V^a

August 22^d 1863.

                       

Dear Hester

                                                Your kind and most welcome letter of the 18^th came to hand last night and I was most happy to learn that you still enjoy good health

 

            Tis strange that Martha would suspect you of being guilty of sending me papers and segars. I told Garry about receiving them so that if you did not get my letter he might get his and tell you that. I had received them—But I told him not to mention a word about it at home. I shall be careful in future of what I write to him. I thought he could keep a thing to himself better than he did but it seems I was mistaken. However let this pass and he'll not get another chance to tell any thing—

 

            So you think there is soldiers enough in the city to keep the "would be rioters in subjugation, and that there is not much danger of them trying it on again. I am of the same opinion as yourself and if they do raise again and the military in the city is not strong enough to put the rioters down there is plenty more here ready to start as soon as ordered. Three Regiments cut of our Division left here for New York City last Sunday I suppose they are there long before this. they were the 2^d Mass. 3^d Wisconsin & 27^th Indiana Regts. General Ruger went with them General Ruger is a good and brave officer and if he is brought into action against the mob there is no danger of him ordering his men to fire blank cartridge If any more Regiments are sent to New York I think ours will be one of them. An order has been issued by the War department which says that all men who enlisted in 1861 will be discharged on the 1^st of June 1864 if the order is not revoked I will be discharged three months before my three years are up (that is if I live so long) and it leaves me only nine months to serve. that nine months will soon slip / around and I will be a free man once more. I have a notion to apply for a commission in the U.S. colored troops. applications are received for them by the War department the only objection to me is the length of the term of service which is five years. What do you think of it?

 

Well about that Beau you seem to be satisfied and so am I and I think we can work things as well as any other couple. besides I dont want to put you to any unnecessary trouble such as looking out for some one else (as you say in your letter) so just wait till "this war is over" and what good times we'll have, wont we Hester. "I'll bet you". I saw an account in one of the papers of a young lady being drafted what a pity she did not have some patriotic young man to go as a substitute for her. she was not as fortunate as you for here I am ready to take your place if you are drafted but your teeth (that you spoke about in a former letter) will exempt you. you had better inquire about it and get your papers if you are exempt. as for me going substitute for the young lady above mentioned it is just as you say about that

 

You want to know if there is any thing you can do to help me I fear not as you do not know much of military matters. still as you want something to do please work the star enclosed in this letter and you will greatly oblige your humble servant. it is to wear on my cap and signifies to what Corps the person wearing it belongs. work it any way you like suit yourself and you will suit me

 

            We are under marching orders and expect to march every day to some point nearer Washington. I think about Fairfax Court House there we will have a good stay of it waiting for the drafted men and when we get them learn them their drill which will take about two months perhaps longer

 

Rebel pickets show themselves on the opposite side of the Rappahannock every day but show no demonstration towards offensive movements

You want to know how you can send me some things. at present goods are not forwarded by any of the express companies to us so if you should any thing now / I might not get it for two or three months in fact I would lucky if I got it at all but if we get to Fairfax I think we would be able to get things forwarded to us

 

            I do not feel very well to day I have a bad headache and the diarrhea is troubling me again. Confound that diarrhea it sticks to me like a leech and all that I can take or do will not stop for any length of time it seems to have worked all through my system and made up its mind to stop there. I have tried all sorts of cures. this morning I took an ounce of castor oil and I can taste the it yet. that does me more good than any thing else. I very seldom tell the folks at home about me being troubled so much with the diarrhea as I know mother would be worrying about me if she thought I was sick

 

I think I will close now as I dont feel much like writing to day hoping to hear from you soon

                                                           

I remain

Yours ever

Robert S. Stedman

1^st Sergt Co C. 3^d M^d Vols

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