Pleasant Valley Oct 19 1862

 

Dear Mother

 

I received a letter from you & Mary last thursday dated Oct 9^th. By that I understand that I have received all your letters up to that date. I also received some papers which I was very glad to get. Our mail comes as regular as clockwork twice a week now.

 

            My last letter to you was written at Point of Rocks in which I gave you some account of our journey to Frederick. When I closed it we had got so far back to this place. You will recollect I told you we had nothing but our overcoats with us so we did so we did not expect to stay there long. The next morning another brigade came up and relieved us & we started for our old camp-ground. We took the tow-path on the canal so that we had a good level road. I do not know as you know what the tow-path is so I will explain. It is the road along-side the canal that the horses travel on. We had a very pleasant day for our march. On one side of us was the Chesapeake canal and just across that the B & O RR. On the other side was the Potomac river. The Potomac is very low at this time. There were ever so many places so shallow that a man could wade across. We got back to our old camp about dark and right glad we were to get our tents and blankets to sleep under once more. /

 

            One result of our journey was to largely increase the number of sick. Ed Allen has been quite unwell since although he has not gone into the hospital. I stood it very well although I rather old as the saying is for a few days after. The rest of the Harvard boys are all as well as usual. Wm Dunn is better he is quite smart now. you wanted I should write what I thought of Gen Burnside when I saw him. I saw him day before yesterday for the first time. He came over to our camp on horseback with but a single attendant. We were out drilling. There was no parade made. He seemed to be out on a tour of inspection. He did not make any distinction between privates or officers but spoke to both alike. He of some of the boys about their rations whether we drew full rations or not. He did not stay more than ten minutes but just looked round spoke a kind word to all & then rode off. I liked his appearance much. There is a report that we are going to lose him for our general. They say he is going off with another expedition but some say our Corps is not going with him & others say we are. I do not know which is right but I hope we shall go with Gen B. you asked me about our rations whether I got enough to eat or not. I have had enough so far. Our rations consist of fresh beef two or three times a week. Salt pork or bacon beans & rice & hard bread. Coffee twice a day. Our living is very plain but still we have enough of it such as it is. I have answered fathers letter in regard to money matters and wrote that I should like to have him send me some I am very sorry to have to call upon you for it but I think it is doubtful if we are paid off before the 1^st of January and I should hardly know how to get along till that time. I do not think there will be much risk in sending it by mail. I know of several who have had money sent in letters and have got it safely.

 

All of our letters from home speak of the large crop of apples that you have this year. I wish could have some of them here. They are a scarce article out here and what we do get do not taste like the ones we have at home.

 

Please ask father how politics go this fall. I have not heard who are the candidates for Governor except that Gen Devens is one Does father support him.

 

War matters seem to be progressing pretty favorably at the west again this fall. I suppose people are getting impatient because the army of the Potomac does not move. It does seem as though we ought to be doing something if we are going to this ball. I am ready to do my part. There is a rumor about camp that we are going to move tomorrow but we never know whether to believe such stories or not till we get started.

 

Please remember me to Mr Thompson and all other enquiring friends.

 

            Tell Georgie I have not forgotten my promise to write to her. you know what hard work it is for me to write letters but I intend to fulfill it.

With much love to you all I will now close

 

from your son

E. W. Stacy /

 

Direct your letters till you hear further as before to me

 Co G 36 Regt Mass Vols

9 Army Corps

Washington D. C.

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