Camp Butler Oct 27^th

 

Dear Mother

                        Mr Coles arrived in camp yesterday, from Richmond, with the unwelcome news, that our discharges would not be granted. he had been instructed by Col Hampton to inquire for them, which he did, and was told that they could not be granted. I assure you it is a very great disappointment to me, not so much on my own account, as on yours, because I had promised you to come back in Oct. I do not think that Col H. / has exerted himself, very much in our favor. I do not say so positively, because I may do him an injustice, but it is my candid opinion that if he had tried very hard, he could have gotten our discharges for us. I think it probable he may feel himself honor-bound to release us, if possible, (knowing the conditions upon which we entered the Legion) and make another trial for us, but even if he did, I think our chances extremely limited. I have made up my mind to "stick" the remaining seven months out, and think I can stand it as well as any of the company. I never was in better health in my life / and have gained seven or eight pounds, and have not been troubled with a single one of my headaches. I did not know that Mr Bryce was going home untill he had left, or I would have written by him. They have made a new rule for the Cavalry now, which will hurt some of us a good deal. they have issued an order that no man will be allowed to carry but two pair of drawers, three shirts, three pr. of socks two pr. of pants and one coat. all the rest of his baggage is to be packed up and sent to Manassas, and kept there untill called for. it will cut me out of a good deal, and I will have a good sized box / to send. There is a good deal of excitement in the company now on account of the vacantcy caused by Mr. Bryce's resignation, and we will have some high old times auctioneering. Willie Taylor will run for second Leutenant, and may be elected, but it will be a pretty tight race; his opponent (Mr Lindley) is quite popular, and were Willie not entitled to my vote, I would vote for him before any other man in the company. he is one of the nicest gentlemen I ever knew. Tell Frank, he must allow me to congratulate him on his election. I was very much surprised yesterday to see his name in the papers as second Leut. and Mr Howell / as first, tell him I ought to be at home now to drill his company for him. What is the name of his company? and how many men does it number? I presume he will be kept in state service, and will be able to come home ever now and then, a great deal better off than I will be, as I do not expect to see any of you, untill next june. What is John Taylor doing? has he gone back to college? tell him I think he might write to me, I wish you would send me James Taylor's address as I would like to write to him. I have not heard from home now in nearly two weeks, nobody ever writes to me much / except Rosa, and since she has gone to school, and has not as much time, I very seldom get a letter. tell all of them that in there letters they seldom or never mention Zack, and that I would like to know every little turn of his disease, and how he is getting on and how he bears it now, if as patiently as he did at first. I feel almost the same towards Zack as if he was my brother, we have always been thrown so much together There is no news here atall, so I will close with love to all. I enclose a note to Frank, please give it to him, and tell him not to let any one atall, read it.                                                   

Your affectionate        Son Albert Elmore

 

[upside down] 1861 Oct 27^th

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