Camp opposite M^cClure's Residence

Near Chambersburg, Pa.

July 12, 1863.

           

Dear Addie

                                    Last night after writing to you we turned into tent and after a refreshing sleep, that stiffened the necks and limbs of all of us, we were waked up this morning half past 2 and after receiving our rations for two days (consisting of hard tack and crackers speck) we loaded our all (a musket, cartridge box, cap box, canteen, haversack and tent) on our backs and were marched here—a distance of 11 miles. Imagine Wells with 40 pounds of baggage on his back. He, however, stood it well. Our camp is in a beautiful field of clover where no troops have camped before and water plenty.

 

            Soldiers have eyes and they have not failed to admire the beautiful valley through which they have been marched and rode through since they left Harrisburg. In our camp are four Regiments but not near us. One from Lancaster, one from Philadelphia and the other I do / not know where it is from. We are out with a brigade and will be marched further on tomorrow. We hear all sorts of reports from the front, but I suppose you hear quite as quick as we what is going on. Our men are in good spirits, and eager to go forward to victory but not to death. This is Sunday—but Sunday comes not in war. As we marched into little villages to day I could hardly realize that the stores should be closed and the people at church. We went to Chambersburg this evening and took supper—a fine one indeed after subsisting on hard tack.

           

Duty calls

                                   

Yours

B S Owen

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