Pleasant Valley Md Oct 24 1862

           

Dear Martha

            I received your kind letter dated the 14^th last wednesday and was much pleased to hear from home I received a letter from Uncle Charles last night and was happy to hear from him I sent him a paw paw apple seed and should have sent him more only was afraid it would weigh to much by the way did you get that paper I sent with some of the seeds in it. In my last letter of last sunday I wrote that the prospects were that we should make this our winter quarters for the season that we were supplied with straw and ordered to fix up our tents as comfortable as possible / accordingly the men went to work to work and and with logs, stones, boards, cornstalks &c fixed there tents in good shape We have what are called the shelter tent which weigh a little over two lbs these we carry on our backs and when we stop two or three or any number button their pieces together and form a tent But it is the talk now in camp that there is to be a grand forward movement soon so that the orders that are read to us look as though we should move soon. We got our knapsacks yesterday There is an immense army around this vicinity and Harpers Ferry. The Bakersville boys are all well We have as good living as could be expected consisting of hard tack fresh and salt beef soup / rice pork and bacon. The thread you sent came oppurtunely as I was out of thread. I wish you would send me out a good pair of gloves, as it is getting to be rather cold weather. the best way I think would be to send them by mail And I would like before long to have a box sent out with a pair of undershirts and a pair of drawers but I do not think of much more to write so I will close give my love to all tell Charley and Albert to write also Father as I believe I have received no letter from him Give my respects to Uncle Charles's family and tell them to write you must write often You mustn't wait for a letter from me. I received those papers you sent I received a letter from Thos Gay and a paper also from your brother William /

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