Camp Curtin. Nov 23^d

           

Mother—It is long since I have written you a letter, and indeed it is very little use to write, because I cant tell you what I would like to half as well by letter as I could by word. But to begin—My health is and has been good ever since I came to camp. There is talk of us leaving camp Curtin and going to South Carolina on the 2^d fleet which is now fitting out for that purpose. I hope it is true. When we came first to camp or rather while we were in State service we were neither half rationed or clothed in fact we got no clothes at all except what we brought along with us, but since we have been mustered into U.S. service we get plenty to clothe us and plenty to eat. We have not got our arms yet but I expect we will soon. Our pay will be given us when we leave. I have been sworn in 2 months to-day. / and I would like to see my pay as soon as possible! because while we were in State Service I spent most of what money I brought with me for something to eat and as the boy says "that runs away with the good of a cow"!!!!

 

If we had got our rations while in State Service I would not be so near strapped as I am, but so it is. This letter will take all my money to post it except one cent. I dont like to ask you for money but if you could send me a quarter's worth of postage stamps I'd like it very well. do you think you can? Lizzie wishes me to correspond with M Couch tell her if she sends me his address that I will. She says she thinks him worthy of corresponding with!!!! I have not heard from Andy Houston by letter yet I suppose he will be changing his place of abode and consequently he will forget many of those with whom he is now acquainted and me among the rest but I shall still think of him and the fun he & I have had together. /

 

It snowed a little this morning but it is now a very pretty day (1 o'clk PM) According to Jimmie's letter there was good fun at the Inst. Lieut Suplee brought me a letter from Cy Thompson but he did not tell me any thing about the curflumuxing scrape! Nor the acrostic either!! I would not say anything about these things in a letter to you but I dont know when I will get money to write again to Jimmie or Lizzie (or any one else in fact) I have just got 22 letters since I came to camp. I have never written to M^cCrums since I left home but it dont make much difference does it? I am something of Lizzie's opinion about the folks who inquire so much at you about me. They are in a hurry to hear of my illfare instead of my wellfare. The did not use me so well when I was among them that they should make such inquiry about me. I'm away now / and I'd thank them to let you alone about me. Give them some short answer and you'll please me and serve them right Cochurn Allen sent me his best respects by the hand of my fellow soldier, Weaver. now what does he care either for you or me? not one cent—Give my respects to those who you know acted like friends to me; among whom are A. Houston Uncle's & Snyder's and M^cElroy's and aunt Mary Jane. read her this letter and tell her I'd like to have a good cup of her coffee! I have had good times since that box came but the apple butter & preserves are done and so is the cheese. I have one roll of butter and the peaches yet. What about sending the two jars home? I dont know how about that.

 

Hoping you are all well and in good spirits and that Jimmie may get used to sleeping alone I'll close this badly written letter

Mother                                                           

your Son

  J. D. Baker

1861                          

SOURCES