Oct 17/61

Camp Douglas Chicago         

           

Dear Mother

                     I now take the opportunity to answer the letter that you wrote to me I received it about five or ten minutes ago I was verry happy to hear that you was all well Mr Harvey got into the rong place to preach to us boys I suppose he lays it all to me because I heard the sermon I told him what I thought he ment by saying what he did he was as mad as a little hen / but he did not scare aney one the drunk man that he saw was a young man heard that he was the man that talked about the soldiers and so he was going to thrash him and if he comes back again thare will be some more at the same buisness our Capt has a bottle of wine in his tent that has been in thare for about a month he says he dont drink it he dont like it if Mr Harvey never drinks no more wine than our Capt he never will hurt him self Mr Harvey got off better than I thought he would if it had not been for us boys he would get an awful / good licking this fellow that he sayed was tight was not drunk at all Mr Harvey denyed ever saying aney thing against the soldiers and that is what saved him from getting a licking I would not of done it but others would Ed is at work for the old man for one dollar a day Hannah is well at least she was when I went thare I told the boys she was sick so I could get to go she wants to have hellen come down thare verry much I would have her go Hannah and William gets along first rate it is now dark last night I was on guard I feel pretty sleepy, I want you to when / you get this write and let me know how all the girls gits a long I think we will leave here next week but I dont know I wish you would send me a dollar or two before I leave Chicago may be Augusty Newell will come up you can send it by him I want to git two or three more likeness taken I have been about 10 minutes writing this I must quit pleas write soon my respects to all from your son J Beach give my respects to all the girls Jennie especially I have her likeness she sent it to me by mail

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