Camp Conner Sep 25^th

 

It has been two weeks now, My Dear Grace, since I have had a letter from home, and I am getting a little tired of waiting for one, but Charlie Sims arrived here yesterday, and he answered almost the same purpose. We have moved our camp since I last wrote, and now are about a mile from the banks of the Potomac, and can see the war steamers, all about in the river. I was on piquet yesterday, and was stationed immediately on the river, and could see some of their ships, so near that I could count the cannon on them. one / of them had eight guns. I could almost count the stars on the flag, and I took good care to keep myself concealed so that I could watch their movements without their knowledge of my presence. We are in hourly expectation of a battle. we have our artillery stationed on the river, and are only waiting for orders to fire into the ships. the fight will be entirely between the artillery and we will be only spectators, unless they attempt to land, and then, we will have a chance too. I heard some very heavy cannonading up towards Fairfax, a few days ago, but have not heard what was the cause of it. I am very glad to hear that Mother has given out the / idea of coming to Va. as she might have staid ever so long and not seen me. We are having a tolerable easy time now, we are so near the enemy, that we do not drill atall, and have only piquet duty to do, but we have to sleep out in the open air, with nothing but the "Broad canopy of heaven" above us, as we left all of our tents at our old camp. If the students are let off, you may expect me home, but I think it is doubtful about our getting off. Our batteries have just begun to fire on the ships, I heard two guns but a moment ago, and they are still shooting and we may be ordered of in a moment so I will close. John Rhett, Willie Taylor Cousin Tom and all of our boys are well

                                                                       

Yours affect.   A. R. Elmore /

 

Sept 26^th          I was ordered off yesterday My Dear Grace just as I had closed my letter but could not send it so I will add something more to it. Our batteries kept up their fire on the ships all day yesterday but with very little damage to the enemy they deserted only one of their ships. The enemy threw some shell into our batteries, but did not hurt any one one of them burst and threw dirt all over Col Hampton, and knocked one of the artillerists down, but did not injure them at all. The Cavalry were kept back in the woods and could not see any of the fight, but I was more fortunate I was detailed as courier for Col. H and was on the battery all the time and would trace the balls from our cannon as they would strike all around the ships it was a splendid sight to see the balls from "Long Tom" as they would make their ships scatter. "Long Tom" is the gun we took at Manassas Our batteries have been firing again to day, but ceased a few minutes ago and will, I suppose, be firing off and on, all the time but I am afraid they will have no use for Cavalry, and we will not have a chance. I hope Zack is improving rapidly, tell him I wrote to him some time ago. Rosa wrote /

 

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to me some time ago about three weeks, & that little Mac had a son. I never was more surprised in my life but I have heard nothing of him since and do not know whether he is dead or alive when you write let me know something about him. Tell Frank and Uncle Williams boys to write to me, and I will answer their letters as fast as I can. You must excuse this scrawl as I left all of my writing conveniences at the old camp. I doubt if you can read it. Give my love to all and tell Lolla that she can send boxes to me whenever she pleases and to direct them to the Legion and they will be received. tell all the servants that Billy is well and in his glory.

                                                                       

Yours truly

Albert.

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