Head Quarters            

3^d M^d Vols                 

Kellys Ford V^a                 

September 2^d 1863

 

Dear Hester

               Once more I sit me down to write you in answer to yours of the 26^th & 27 of Augt both of which came safe to hand last Sunday. The star also came safe to hand it is worked very nice indeed I was some punkins I can assure you with my fancy star on parade Monday all the boys fell in love with it and not one of them but what wanted me either to give or sell it to them but I could not see that and they finally gave it up for a bad job. Accept my sincere thanks for your kindness in working it for me and I hope soon to be able to do something for you in return 

 

I am somewhat better than when I last wrote you but still not well. I think as you do viz: if I was home mother might doctor me and cure me too but then you know I am not home nor am I likely to be for some time to come. But never mind the War will not last forever. I hope not anyhow and we will all get home sooner or later.

 

            I see by the papers that the draft is completed in New York City the number of men drafted being nineteen thousand among them some few niggars to the great discomfort of the Irish citizens. The draft I think will reduce the male population of the city quite some and leave many a girl and wife broken hearted. I hope the greater portion of the men drafted are Copperheads as the Army is just the place for that class of men it will not take long to bring them to their trumps and make them understand what they have got to do and that they have got to do it 

 

Five substitutes were shot one day last week for desertion that will serve as a warning to the drafted men not to do the like for fear they will be served in the same manner Now I dont like to see a man shot any more than any other man but desertion has been carried on to such a fearful extent that something must be done to stop it and death to the offenders is the only way to stop it

 

Well Hester just wait till we get near Washington and then you can come and see me and bring your knitting and stay as long as you like and what high old times we'll have, wont we Hester. I imagine I see you coming now as you say with a hat on your head inquire for Sergeant Stedman when you call (everybody in the Regiment knows me) and you will not be long in finding me

 

            We are still under marching orders we may go tomorrow and we may not go in a month but still we have to be in readiness to march at short notice /

Have any of the boys been drafted

 

I think I will close now as my sheet is most full besides the drum is beating for drill and I must away so good bye

 

Hoping to hear from you soon

                                               

I remain as ever

Yours truly

Bob

           

Address as before

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