Camp Pierrepont, Va. 4^th 1861

 

Mr. John Shelly:

           

Dear brother, Father, & Sister,--

Your very kind and pleasing note came to hand while I was lying in my tent reading the history of joseph where he made himself known to them and forgave them their misdeeds &c. when I was suddenly surprised by having my name called as the mail had come in and I had been one of the recipients of letters but what surprised me the most that it was a long expected letter (this is the second letter I wrote to y rec^d from you and the sixth that I sent to you) Indeed I was glad to get a letter from you as I thought you were either all / dead or else had forgotten me as I did not know why I did not receive a letter from you and to that effect I wrote a letter to L. M. Johnson with inquiries to that effect

 

If father thinks that I had been listed he is very heavens far mistaken as I never was enlisted, but I was sworn in at Sandy Hook Maryland on the 16^th of august last.

 

So Mary Shelly is married, Well let her we cannot help it. And Lydia Bartholomew a youngun. We will let her have it herself for it will maybe make a soldier. I see that you had been in Philadelphia but you never made mention whether you were pleased with your trip or not. Did you think the soldiers looked fine? You ought to have come here to where you daily could see / from 15 000 to 50 000 drilling and parading in the fields then you would see the cannons and the cavalry & dragoons also You would then think you seen something you never seen before.

 

Some weeks past we had been out scouting when some 5 companies of our regiment went out on a special scout and killed 5 "secesh" cavalry pickets and brought shot guns pistols knifes and sabers marked U.S. but I never seen gunpowder smelling but I have a bully good rifle.

 

Do not trouble yourselves about me getting killed or die in the war.

 

We soon will make some [?] for winter and we will get them if we have to fight for them. 

 

I will close by stating that I am well and hope you all to be the same My best wishes for you all Write soon no more at present

                       

I remain

Yours &c

Jos. Schelly

Comp. F. 1^st Rifles P.R.V.C.                                                            

Col. D. J. Biddle

Genl. M^cCalls Division

Langley Fairfax Co. Va.

via Washington City D.C.

 

P.S. do not forget and write soon as I will answer you always with a hearty good-will.

 

Your poor writing needs no excuse for 'tis good enough.

Jos. Schelly

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