Harpers Ferry Via Nov 30^th 62

 

Dearly loved ones at home

I will try to write to you this evening having nothing else to occupy my time The Captain myself and Hiram are in usual good health We have had no letters in some days whether they have been detained on the route or whether they have never been written is left for the future to solve but if I were to guess on it I should say the neglect was on your part. but we only live in hopes and it may be that another days mail will bring some tidings from home Letters from home are to me like a drink of water to a man that is nearly dying of thirst. It is sunday to day but oh how unlike the sabbaths of the north where peace and quiet reigns. Here the sabbath and week days are all nearly all alike I used to think when I was at home that I would'nt give three cents to hear Whitbeck preach sometimes but now I would go quite a long distance to hear as smart a man as he is. I went and heard the Chaplain of the Reg't preach once when in Washington but he did it in such an official way as if he was obliged to say something to clear his skirts well you can easily easily imagine how it was and I did'nt go again The next sunday at the usual hour for meeting the bugle sounded for the company to fall into line and the roll was called then the Lieutenant told them that those who had any scruples against going to church might step two paces to the front at this more than two thirds of the / company myself among the rest stepped out and Corporal Ingals being at the head of the first rank commanded Church members Right dress Corp E Personeus at the head of those that stepped out commanded Sinners Right Dress this made considerable laughter Church members went to church sinners as they styled themselves went back to their respective tents. For all you may think we have hard times I tell you that we have more sport than any other set of people can have though I sometimes think the boys carry it a little to far. sometimes they will get at each other and give them what is called a gumming it generally takes two at one to give him what is called a real good gumming and when others see this they think two at one is one to many so they pitch in and help one another untill eight or ten are in the squabble when they go it rough and tumble I suppose you dont know what sort of play this can be and you could'nt guess if you were to try a week for I never heard of it untill I got to be a soldier It is simply this catch of the hat in the first place then place your flat hand upon his head with fingers extended to cover his whole head then press them down firmly to the head the tighter the better (that is for the gummer but not for the one that is being gummed) then draw the fingers up in the shape of a birds claw at the same time giving an upward jerk of the hand and you have accomplished / the work. after going through with a series of this performances you may consider a person well gummed but I guess you have had about enough of this nonsense at least as much as you will care about reading at one time so I will drop it and give you the rest some future day

 

            Polk got a letter from Lybia stating that his father was very sick and they considered him quite dangerous He had been sick for quite a long time but was getting better so he ventured a ride to Millport and it made him sicker than ever and they dont think he will hardly recover

 

            I got a letter from Uncle Deprys folks last week they were all well and enjoying good health Voorhis wrote that he was going to school this winter to a woman teacher dont you think he would have learned more if he had come down here to school with me where we get the best instructors in the world and have so many different branches that we can all study and see through at once O haint it delightful and I guess you Dear Parents and Ella are not to old to learn something so come down and see your sons and take a little peep at the country if you will only come I am quite sure that you will never regret the time or money that it will cost you

 

                        Monday morning I will try to finish my letter I am as well as usual with the exception of a cold 

 

                        I have not time to write more so I bid you goodbye. no more at present I remain as ever your

           

dutiful son       C W Personeus

 

                                    Co G 50 Reg't N.Y.V eng'rs

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