Harpers Ferry Va

September 4^th 64

 

Dear Parents

                        I am happy to again find time to pen a few lines home. Yesterday we (wagon train & commissary Dept) left Charlestown for the rear as the army was to advance that morning. We hear that there is a heavy body of rebels at Bunker Hill. I think that it is the intention of Sheridan to attack them & let the Loyal North see that this Army the majority of which is from other armies & cannot be relied upon as the braves from the Potomac Army. We have had no fight except a little skirmish since we left Washington. I can not see Gen Sheridans intention in falling back from Strasburg / unless it was to draw them (the rebels) on farther from their base & give Gen Grant a better chance to succeed if such was the case it was well done, with a loss to the enemy of two to our one. There was terrible cannonading last evening in the direction of Bunker Hill, have not heard the particulars.

 

What think the peace men of the states of our birth. methinks they are a little crestfallen, even the misguided Democracy do not know them, cheering is it not? Why old Abe is just as sure of again being elected as can be. Fremont cannot carry more than one state Missouri, which has but 11 electoral votes. Gen M^c may make a little haul, but Abe can / count for the land of Yanks (New England) N.Y., Penn, 4 of the 7 electoral votes of N.J. Del, Maryland 3 of 7, California Ill, Ind, Iowa Kansas, Kentucky, Mich & I think West Virginia. Geo would poll a much heavier vote had he a soldiers friend as Vice Pres. but in Pendleton he has a man who has ever been the enemy of the soldiers. I hope that father is sound on old Abe. will give the Cops, Peace men or whatever name they call themselves a good overhauling, but never mind tomorrow Abes hand will be amongst them. What will they do when they are forced into the Army—Whew! I tell you that drafted men coming into the Army do a heap of good for the good cause, as they come here complaining calling the / supporters of Abe everything, say that the Army has never done anything &c &c. that the boys open their eyes, look at Lincoln in the true light, see that they have been blinded by the talk in the papers of the day & come over good & strong for honesty.

 

The day has now come when we as a nation can show ourselves—give Gen Grant reinforcements. Abe our hearty support, carry forward this draft & we may hope for Peace ere the New Year. Now upon "Peace at any terms" No. but a good old Peace won by the superiority of the braves of the North over the chivalry of the South I pity the population of the South. they have made a hard fight when everything has been so dark and unpleasant & long ere this they would have given up had it not been for their pride, but the day is not far distant when they will succumb & no one will give them a heartier welcome than Palmer. I have filled up my sheet. When I sat down I thought I would only write a few words—but I have filled my sheet & will close

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