Camp near Harrison Landing V^a

Aug. 8^th /62.           

    

Sister Lizzie—

                        I got your anapesticaly addressed letter on yesterday morning. I was much pleased to hear that you all enjoy good health. My health is also good—long may it remain so.—

 

            You must remember to give "Rabb" plenty of "bread" while he is harvesting for you. I think it very kind in Louis Wingar to help you to work at the harvest. Do not ask him to do it for the lowest wages. Dont feel too squeamish about touching the V's which I sent home and dont think anything about "making it good" for I owe Mamma more than anything she has yet received at my hands. War is a thing which has a tendency to make me at least, far from selfish. How useless it is! The next day you may fall in battle, or be wounded and then if one has been selfish, of what good will it be to him? You say that Jonathan has got my letter, but / I think M^r Rainey speaks too highly of it. I wrote it in a hurry, little thinking any one would see its contents except Jonathan. I begin to think I'd better look to what I write, if so many folks get to see my letters!

 

Cass Rose is in Co. E. He is well. Rob^t Walker is well and has been acting Orderly Serg^t to Co. E. ever since Orderly Mitchel was captured but now that he is exchanged Rob^t will be apt to come down a peg. Night before last a great number of the 57^th prisoners came back having been duly exchanged, but John was not among them nor do they know anything of him. I am inclined to think he is safe and exchanged and as he was not among the sick prisoners they know nothing of him of course. Archy Glenn is right I was not in that fight nor do I claim to have been. I claim no honors which do not belong to me. O yes! Jane M^cKnight wrote me a letter! I got it yesterday she says she "honors me so far for running from the rebels as to write me a letter". Now be it known to Miss Jane (if I was to stoop so low / as to write to her) that I did not run I walked leaning on a staff. If I had been able to be in ranks I would not have "run" as her father did trying to make believe he was wounded when he was not. The 10^th boys say this is a fact. Enoch's division is gone to reinforce Pope it is said; I did not get to see him. We had lively times in camp the night "secesh" fired on our shipping in the river. We were called out and kept under arms all the time of the firing expecting a fight but it did not come so we went back to bed again. Park's could send me that honey by expressing it to the care of the Q.M. 57^th regt P.V. Fortress Monroe but I dont want them to do it it would cost per. cwt.—too much dollar & a half!!

 

Maria Albin has forgot me I never hear from her now. If Archy M^cDowell & Patterson's boys get drafted it will make "Slam" feel, all over in spots, as big as a blanket"

           

Give my respects to all and believe

me your bro. J D Baker

           

My respects to Andy & Robt Houston.

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