Camp Green Meadows

Aug 14^th 1862

 

Dear Mother

              I received your kind and welcome letter last evening and was a thousand times happy to hear from you and to know that I am yet remembered by near & dear ones at home How often my mind leaves the exciting scenes of camp and wanders to my peaceful home there to remain untill some exciting peal of merriment brings me to a sense of my understanding. For the past 2 weeks we have had considerable excitement and a little fighting. The enemy are stationed about 12 miles above us 2000 / strong. About 2 weeks ago we made them a surprise visit and carried off considerable valuable property and came back safe. two days after that they returned our visit and destroyed our ferry. The next night we went right in amongst them and burned their extensive salt works and when coming home were fired upon by a party of Bushwhackers wounding several of our horses but fortunately not hurting a man. Our force here is comprised of our Regt alone and if the Rebels advance upon us we will have to fall back for they out number us two to one.

 

My health is extremely good and if you could see me you would not think that soldiering disagreed with me I am very sorry to learn that James Stutz and Wesley Powers were dead / they seem to have been among the unfortunate. I am thankful that we were left among these lonely Virginia mountains and hope it will be our lot to remain here for it is the healthiest of all Southern countrys. We have the healthiest Regiment in the service and are the cleanest and best looking best drilled in this Division. I have learned nothing of those men that were hung in the 2^nd Cavelry. hope it is no one of my acquaintance Tell Bruce & Maria Connor to go slow and learn to drive.

 

            Also give my love to Miss Maria Connor and tell her I should be very happy to peruse the papers sent to me from my expected Sister in Law.

 

Tell Miss Hattie Shoalter / that I had the pleasure of seeing her Josey he is well and of course sends lots of love to her.

 

My love to Pa Bruce and all enquiring friends and except the largest portion for your self.

                                                                       

I am Dear Mother

Your Affectionate Son

Jack. C. Barton

 

Direct as before

            Jack

 

P.S.      I received a letter from Deloss a few days ago they are all well.

Jack

 

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P.S. Enclosed I send you the tail of one of our camp friends

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