Camp In Mayerland, Some Whare

September the 11^th 1862

 

Dear mother

                        I take this opportunity to rite a few lines to you to let you know that after all the hardships I hav had to pass through that I am still in the land of the living

 

            I dont know whare I am we came he last knight from near Edwards ferry in this state after marching all knight Saturday knight we came through Washington Sunday morning about three oclock & marched all day Sunday we now are some whare on the Turnpike betwen Washington & Baltimore I dont know whare It is 25 miles from here to washington DC this is the handsomest place that I hav seen yet 

 

After the last Battle near Bull run we came to Center ville thare we stayed one day & knight from thare we came to fairfax & stayed one knight & the whole Brigade was put on picket duty in the morning we left & came through Falls Church & stoped on the heights of the Potomac in sight of Washington you can not imagine what a joyful sight to me to get in sight of the old Capitol once more but thare was no rest for the weary thare we stayed thare one knight or part of a knight then our regiment had to go off on picket duty about four miles from thare near Baleys Cross Roads thare we stayed two days when we started for this state We came by fort Albany how I would hav liked to of stoped thare /

 

I got a letter from Harriet yesterday she said that she had not herd from me in a long time I hav had three letters from her sinc we left Fredricksburg & one from danial & one from George & one from Ester Townsend & I hav wrote three letters to Harriet sinc we left Fredricksburg I rote when we was at Culpeper & one when I got to Rapahanac Station after that our mail was stoped for we had no chanc to get a mail through to washington the rebels had us cut off of our transportation in evry point & I rote home when I was on picket duty you must not expect to hear from me very often now for it is impossible for me to rite I would if I could but dont wait for me /

 

I herd by Archey Fosters letter that Dan & Hal had inlisted is it so if so I am sorey What can I say What dare I say Nothing it wount do for me I sent two papers yesterday to Harriet I should hav rote this letter to dan but I herd he had gone to some camp I saw James Mumfords Company Saturday & I looked for the Boyes & [?] I herd that they was in that Company but I could not find them what Company & Regiment are they in I want to know

 

you can let Dunns folks know that Andrew is a mung the mising & we hav not herd from him yet wether he is killed or wounded none of us can tel I hope for the best

 

I must stop riting for we hav to march a gain tell Harriet to rite as often as she can you do the same Dont worey about me it dos not good I dont fret a bit I would like to see you all I live in hopes I shal some time but the way looks dark to me Whare I shal be when you heare from me again is hard to tell but I hope I shal be some whare in the land of the living. I send my love you one & all rite soon we leav here with in one hour so good by mother & all This from your son

                                                           

Abner B Palmer

To Jane Palmer

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