Camp Chase Va Sept 1^st 1862

 

Dear Mother

                         I have just got your letter I began to think you had forgoten me I believe that I wrote to you of our departure from New Haven as well as from Capitol Hill into Virginia we are 8 miles from the Capitol and so close to the rebels that our pickets have been driven in five miles and the 21^st Conn Regiment have been throwing up embankments all day to day we had a grand review yesterday it was composed of 14 regiments of infantry and 2 of / flying artilery it was a grand sight Genl Paul is our Brigadier Genl and Genl Casey is our Division Genl to day it is a tattoo at 4 AM or roll call at 9 AM inspection drill at 3 PM church service at 5 PM dress parade we are all excitement the pickets of our army have been driven in within five miles of our camp but I dont fear them the 21^st Conn are throwing up embankments and our camp is all excitement but I dont place much confidence in camp stories tell F^s if he must have the money I dont know but he can have you may do as you please about letting him have it but I did not think that I should need any myself but we have verry muddy water and no food worth eating and every thing costs so much I dont know but I shall have to draw on the money that I left to home we have to pay one dollar for tobaco which is worth 25 cts in Conn / our dress parade has just come off and Col Ross wants to have us hold ourselves in readiness at any moment so we will no more at present from your son

                                                                                   

George

 

PS rumors say Jackson that Jackson is prisoner and within two miles of us on his way to Washington escorted by our troops I hope so

if Loomis has written write to me

                       

Adieu

 

Write soon

           

George S Palmer

Co. D 20^th regiment

Washington DC /

 

Jerry is writing

Ed has writen so

Dark I cant see

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