Camp in the woods near Harrison Landing V^a

July 25^th/62.                           

           

Dear Mother

                                    Once more I take my pen to write you a few lines, not knowing whether the former letters which I wrote were lucky enough to reach you. Today I have expressed $40^0/100 to you, you will find it in Mercer as that is the nearest point to which I could send it by express; I would have enclosed it in this letter but as I have not got any word from home for such a length of time I presumed you did not get my letters, so I sent it by express. I shall try to make out to send as much when I next receive pay as will make $100. If I send $100 per year it is more than I could if I was at home. You will use it as you see fit, for the good of the / family. Do not lay it up to keep for me for I make a gift of it which you will please accept from your son as a testimonial of his love & esteem of Mamma. We have a very nice place to camp in—A grove near a very nice bathing place. We also have a prospect of getting soft bread for there is in process of erection a large bakery in camp. Also we are not troubled with the shelter tent any more: we have the "Wedge tent" in which four constitute a "mess". My opinion is: we will not do much till towards the middle of Sept. by that time the reinforcements will mostly be brought to the field. I learn that the Roundhead regt is at Fortress Monroe and that they are destined to reinforce "Mac". if so I'l see Enoch in a few days; wont it be nice to have the Roundhead & 10^th and all the boys including my cranberry & chollar Ford so near that I may visit them every day?! 

 

            Lizzie is well and standing the horrid news well I hope. Jno Snyder & Josh and Robt Reed as also Michaels is taken prisoner. Jno is wounded severely. I fear the consequences this hot weather. He is in Libby warehouse jail. I see by the papers that I am named as a prisoner, but thank the ever blessed Lord I am still in midling health and hope to meet the wretches one day and have revenge for Jno's capture & wound. Snyders both Jonathan & Jacob will be very much depressed with the news of their sons both being prisoners, but I learn that the secesh take as good care of the prisoners as their scanty means will afford. besides it is likely that they will parole them and send them back to our lines. Some of our boys went on a scout & found quite a lot of honey which they brought into camp. I feel in hopes that the day is not far distant when this work will be over. 

 

This letter is written in a pretty rough style but do your best at reading it out and remember me to all the folks especially Uncles folks. Dont forget to write & believe me as ever your affectionate Son

                                                                                                           

J. D. Baker

 

Mother

 

P.S. Let me know how you get along with the harvest. poor little Jimmie it will go hard with him to act Daddy of "Home Bluffs". I can scarcely keep from thinking of him all the time. God grant that we may one day meet each other in that peaceful home up North.

J. D. Baker.

 

Mother.

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