Edward's Ferry, Md.

March 15^th, '63

           

Dear Mother:

                                    I intended to write you a long letter to day, but I was detailed for picket yesterday, and came up yesterday this morning to write a few lines before mail goes out.

 

            I am geting along as well as I could wish and am as well contented as ever. I am fat and hearty as usual, and in the best of spirits. Thursday night I received a letter and paper of bluberries from Winfield a letter from Albert Stour and one from Carthage. Last nights mail did not bring me any thing. I shall look for a batch next week, however. The details for picket are not / so large as formerly so ones turn on picket does not come near as often as it used to do. I am stationed at the Ferry with three men from Co. F. and the Lieut of the guard and a seargent are stationed there with men, making thirteen men and three officers. in addition to these there are ten cavelry men stationed there to do patroll duty. We take prisoners almost every day we took three yesterday.

 

            I have drawn me a new pair of shoes to day. I hope they will last me as well as the first ones did.

 

The mail was very small last night. Marion and myself were somwhat indignant at not receiving expected mail. I have had to messes of bluberries. I cooked the first batch and am going to wait untill I get another before I cook the second. / I should think from Winfields acount that we should have a flock of sheep in short order. I hope so at any rate. I am glad to hear that the bees are doing so well. Just keep them from swarming untill I get home and then we will see what can be done. I have rather prided myself on the idea of being a leetle ahead of Winfield in the process of growing fat, this winter, but I see, by his last letter, that he has been doing somthing unusual in that line himself. My advice to him is "Keep on doing so". I think I shall do so without any advice. Please tell Miss Alden to wait untill I get home then I will answer all inquiries with the greatest pleasure.

 

            I should like to be at home to day and perhaps go to meeting with you, / but I can't leave very well just now but But I will be along in a few weeks and make quite a stop with you. I hope you left off feeling anxious about me some time ago. I assure you, I am doing better than I could expect. And if I was not, it would onley make matters worse, for us both, by worrying about me. Time flits away rapidly and it seems but a short time since I wrote home from picket station Jan. 1^st. I should like to see pup wonder if he would not shake some. But I must close

 

            Keep up good courage and do not feel any fears about me.

 

            Feed all the pets well, and and please remember and get me some warm bisuits and honey for supper, Johnny

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