Camp Curtin. Dec^r 7^th /'61

                       

Folks at home—We are still in Curtin and do not know anything more about when we leave than we did when I last wrote. The Col however says that we must leave next Tuesday. One thing is certain, viz. we are under marching orders, but we may be like the 11^th regt. it was under marching orders for 3 weeks before it left camp.

 

Your favor of the 2^d ult. together with Sarah's of the same date (the former containing a $ from Mother, and the latter a $ from Aunt) came to hand the 4^th. I did not want you to send money to me. I know you could not well spare it. Postage stamps was all I asked, although I needed the money bad enough, and I thank Mamma & Aunt especially for being so kind to one who so illy deserved their kindness. It is likely that we will get our pay before we leave / leave camp and then I'll be able to repay Aunt & Mamma. I hope your spelling passed off nicely and that the girls all got a beau apiece at least!! Tell your teacher that I sent him word to do as old Willson told Tom, viz: "Barney let the girls alone". I dont wonder that Josh lost his box if it was left in Jno Cochurn's care. the only wonder is that I ever got mine. It was Jno Cochurn who used to haul coke past our house off Wingar's place. It was he that M^r Snyder saved from being killed when he was that drunk that he could not drive his horses. I got Cy's letter tell him so, and that I'll write to him some of these days.

 

Our Company is Co. F.

 

We had a good laugh over what you wrote about Mary Hurry feeling so much up because Harrison got to the 3^d corporal. As to the reason she gave for him leaving our tent it is a laughable falsehood. He does not mess with the officers any more / than I do. None of the noncommissioned officers had to change their tents they just tent as they did before the election. I know you do not know what a corporal's duty is, and if it was not for the language I'd have to use I'd tell you but I guess I'll tell you anyhow, and then you'll see that M^rs Hurry need not feel so big. When any of the soldiers break any of the rules of camp (which are very strict) they are put in the guard-house for a certain length of time and fed on dry bread & water, and when any one of them has to go to the privy it is the corporal's duty to go with him and wait on him till he is done, and then bring him back to the guard-house. The corporal has also to stand as a guard for any of the sentinels while they go to the privy. sometimes they station the sentinels and on drill they are on the right & left of sections The above is really and without fun a corporal's duty 

 

Old Simon Cameron was in camp Curtin to-day but I cant say what he was after. Lizzie as you did not get a school to teach, I hope you'll improve your time at school, and Jimie you'll please take the same advice but I know your chance is not as good as Lizzie's for you have the foddering to do. however you can remember what you learn better than she can thats ya comfort!! Poor Henry Bogardus has got done looking into futurity he died of camp fever and yesterday 8 of us took the body of George Davy to the station to send it home. Andy Boyer is sick in town Dr Acre (the bile ripper) is attending him and will take him home if he dont get worse.

 

My health is good yet. My love to all of you. Hoping to see you all sometime

           

I add not.                                                                    

 

J. D. Baker private

Co. F. 57 regt P.V.

 

Folks at home.                                                                                    

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