Sept 30^th 1862

 

Dear Mother

 

My last letter was written a week ago sunday We were then at Keedysville you will recollect that I told you we had got the measles in the regiment and perhaps we should stay there till we got over them. But the orders came for us to march about three oclock that afternoon. We marched about four miles and then encamped near a place called Belinda Springs. On our march we passed through the town of Sharpsburg. The houses were badly cut up with cannon shot at the time of the battle It must have been rather / dangerous living there at the time. When we arrived at Belinda Springs we caught up with our brigade. We are in Gen Wilcox's division I have not learned the name of our brigade commander yet we are call the 9^th Army Corps. Last Tuesday morning about four oclock in the morning the long roll was beaten throughout the division and we were ordered to form in line of battle in front of our camp. It seems that the enemy drove in our pickets and an attack was anticipated but after standing out about an hour nothing more was heard and we went back to camp again. Last friday we broke up camp and marched to the place where we now are. I do not know what to call the it. There is no village very near here / We are about four or five miles from Sharpsburg and 7 from Harpers ferry. We are within half a mile of the Potomac river. I have been down to it several times. The Chesapeake and Ohio canal which runs at its side is entirely dry now as the rebels destroyed the locks at Poolesville. I do not know how long we are going to stay here.

 

Oct 1^st

I had to leave off writing yesterday and fall in for a brigade review and did not have time to write any more yesterday. Things today look some as if we should move soon. I can hear the cannon roar but it is some ways off. We are having very pleasant weather just now. We have had some cold nights but / warm days. We have heavy dews, and foggy mornings. The climate suits me very well I do not take cold near so easy as I used to at home. The rest of the boys are pretty well all but W^m Dunn he has been rather slim for a few days past the Doctor tells him he has got the dyspepsia. I wish you would send me some newspapers if it is convenient. Newspapers cost money here 10 cts a piece for New York papers. I have not received any letters from you yet although I hope to soon. I believe I have no more to write at present.

                                                                       

from your son E. W. Stacy

 

Direct your letters till you hear further to me Co G 36 reg^t Mass Vols

9^th Army Corps

Washington D. C.

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