Copy from The American Union

Camp near Memphis, Dec. 3^d, /62.

 

To Copy Leaves of Plants.

 

            Take a sheet of paper, and rub over it the thinnest possible film of oil; Then hang it up in the air to partially dry the film. Next cover the paper with lamp black soot, or soot from a large tallow candle, by holding it extended over a smoky flame, and pressing it gently, but with care, into the flame, in order to cover the paper with smoke, but, of course, so as not to set the paper on fire. Having done this, put it into a damp place so as to take the curl out, and, when cold and flat, lay on the smoky side the leaf intended to be impressed or printed; then press with a soft wad every part of it, so as to take up a portion of the black; this finished, place the leaf gently on a sheet of drawing paper, and put a piece of paper and a weight of books, or pressure, upon it. When the whole is moved there will appear a very beautiful, black impression, resembling the lithograph of the leaf so treated, showing its true lines, its veins and fibre, quite distinct, and true to nature. Fleshy leaves of annuals and similar plants, are better to copy than evergreens. For a simple method of taking impressions which possess the advantage that they may afterwards be colored by hand, instead of lamp smoke and candle smoke, printers ink may be used, as was done by Knisshoff in his celebrated botanical work, which extended to some dozen volumes folio, and was published more than a century ago, and was the first successful attempt at at nature printing on a large scale. Impressions taken in printers ink may also be colored, and Knisshoff's work was published both plain and colored.

 

            Copied by R. B. Crandall, Near Memphis, Dec 3^d, /62.

            for Sister Kittie Crandall, Please copy the leaf of some flower after this method to keep in remembrance of Bro. /

 

Camp near Memphis, Ten. Dec. 4^th 1862,

 

My sweet Sister;

                                    The mail has just been distributed but your soldier Brother got no letter. But he has a little time this morning and will improve it in writing home. It is Ruthie's turn but as I transcribed the above script for you I will fill this side and send it home. Besides I am not certain that Ruthie is at home now. I rather expect that she is at [faded] as she wrote me something about it in one of her letters.

 

It is raining to night very handsomely. 'Tis warm and pleasant inside the tent but the poor boys on guard to night will suffer. Joseph is on guard to night. I am sorry for him but he keeps well. An order was given to me by Cap. Seldick to take one of the Corporal's names off the roll and replace it by Joseph's. But as the poor corporal repented of his misconduct the order was countermanded. Charley Klumpp, second Corporal, has joined the regimental band and will resign his post if he continue in the band. Joseph will be certain to get the position. You may tell our mother for it will please her to hear of her boys good luck.

 

Now I must tell you of what a time we had last Sunday night. The Sergts. were in the Caps. tent reciting their lesson when a heavy thundershower came up. As it rained very heavy we didn't try to make our way back but commenced playing "bean porridge hot". We soon learned that the water was running through our tent. 'Twas an inch deep. We dug the ditch deeper and got wet at the job. When the water drained off we spread our oil cloth blankets on the wet ground, a couple of woolen ones over them, then retired. I was wet to the skin on the feet and legs. Now, had I done this at home Ma would have thought it sufficient to kill me, but I have felt no remorse except that since I have some / catarrh in the head. Not bad. On Monday morning following we had to pull stakes and move to our present position a mile south of Memphis. Before we were a mile east of it. We occupy the camping ground of the 32^d Wis. They supposed they would remain the winter, and consequently, built barracks of logs with nice brick chimneys. I occupy one to night. Every tent now has a nice brick fireplace in it. We have orders to fix our selves as comfortable as possible. It is the intention of U.S. to keep us here some time. We shall remain during the winter if the armies south of us are successful. We are so close them we can hear their cannon roar.

 

            It seems strange that we should have such fine warm weather here when you must have very cold weather in Wis. You know we are not far from the line of Miss, between forty and 80 miles from Holly Springs. When we move we will move into Miss. perhaps to Holly Springs, then [faded] where we live. If we move I too will move in this direction.

 

You will now excuse me as I am tired. And somehow my pen wont make a good mark. Please answer my letter as fast as you can. Love to all. Write me all the news how Pa gets along &c.

 

I remain your loving Bro.

R. B. Crandall.

 

P.S. Direct your letters to Memphis via Cairo. When spring comes you will please copy some nice flowers by this script and oblige,

Bro. R.B.C.

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