If you cant read it send word

 

Edward's Ferry, Md. Jan. 30^th 1863.

           

Dear Brother:

                                    In consequence of a snow snow storm which we had here, which commenced the 28^th and continued untill yesterday morning—or I should have said it commenced about 4 Oclock A.M. the 28^th. The storm was very severe, being very damp, and accompanied by a very high wind. But I came near running off the track. I meant to say, in consequence of that storm, drill is suspended and I have pleanty of time to write you a long letter.

 

            When it was snowing so I could not help thinking of Maine. But I did not suffer from it in the least. My comrade and myself had the tent all to ourselves—the Gile's being on guard.—So we had pleanty of room, pleanty of fire, pleanty to eat, and by borrowing, managed to get most enough to read.

 

With the exception of going three times after water, I had nothing to do but make myself comfortable, which I did, I assure you.

 

            Jan. has passed away like a dream. It seems onley a day or two since I wrote that letter on the picket station, on the first day of Jan.

 

            We have been almost five months in the show, and in that time, I have learned somthing. Perhaps some things which it would not be desirable to know. Bit it is equally certain that I have learned many useful lessons, such as I could learn no where else, and which will last and beni / fit me throughout the remainder of my life. In Mr. Morse I find a valuble friend, and I am indebted to him for many favors. He is a man of cultivated mind and one who appears to remember that one can be a soldier and and a man at one and the same time.

 

            Marion is as fat as the fatest and very tough. he has gained about 30 lbs. since he came in to the show. This morning as I stood on guard at the commissary I steped inside and weighed. With my overcoat and equipments on I weighed 160½ lbs. Take out my over coat and equipments and you have my weight. One of Co. A boys deserted soon after coming into the State. he was taken a short time since and is here at H'^d Q'^s a prisoner. When taken he was captured he was attempting to cross the Potomac from the Virginia shore back into Maryland on a raft he got into the middle of the river when his raft came apart and left him on a rock. He was forced to call to our pickets to take him off. They took him off and brought him here. He will probably be court martialed soon.

 

            You asked about my clothing. We are allowed a certain sum yearly for clothing if we draw clothing enough to exceed that amount in value, the excess is charged to us and taken out of our pay. If we do not draw enough to equal that amount, the balance is paid us.

 

            The Captain could not tell what that amount would be, but I presume it will be a reasonable sum. My clothing lasts well—much better / than some. I should not wonder if I had to draw another pair of pants and a blowse in the the course of 6 weeks or two months. And another pair of shoes in about the same time perhaps. That, I think, will be all the clothing I shall need.

 

            I think I never wrote how easy these shoes are. They are the easyest shoes that I ever wore. They are sewed shoes and very wide. While speaking of clothing I wish you would send me a pair of mittens. Roll them up snug and mail them, single ones will do. The nights are cold when the days are warm, and mine are geting holy and I lost one of my gloves, so I need some.

 

            Gambling has been carried on quite extensively since we were paid off. A pack of cards, a canteen of whiskey, a reckless crew of four or six, and a night spent in gambling generally results in a part or all geting beastly drunk, and two or three geting clear of their money. Marion continues the same good fellow that he was onley his good qualities seem to expand as he grows fat. We are to have a general inspection day. That is, an inspection of arms, equipments, acoutrements and general appearance of the men. Your letter of the 21^st reached me the 27^th. last night I got one from Mary. I managed, by working sharp, to get about all my correspondents answered the first of this week, but many had to be very brief, just acknowledgeing the receipt of theirs with a few words on other subjects was about all.

 

            I feel almost provoked to think I cannot get better paper and envelopes. I cannot get any good /

 

Continued

thick white envelopes and good buff are .25 cts a package the Sutler sells postage stamps, three for ten cts, 16 for 50 cts and at that rate I wish you would like to have you send me a supply of stamps for I am most out. You mentioned in your last that uncle Ami was going to have a spelling school if I had been at home I would have gone I'll wager, and I wouldent wonder if I contrived to go to his day school too if I could possibly. But I shall try and make amends for this winters absence next winter if I get home all right. Does Ed fiddle this / much this winter? If not, what has he done with his fiddle? Does Charley take lessons this winter? I miss my old fiddle sadly, and I know I have forgotten much in music, but I shall make it all up when I get home you may depend on that If you want a preperation to stick postage stamps or envelopes get some powdered Gum Arabic and desolve in a little warm water. It will work well if not made to thin. I have got some which I got of Henney and find it very handy. We fare first rate here and I have yet to regret enlisting. In fact the longer I stay the better I like. In short I am well contented. Keep your courage up. give my love to mother and respects to all I care any thing about. Write often J. F. Libby

 

[first side, bottom]

P.S.

Write what you know about Mr. Chase loosing his money I have heared somthing, not much /

 

Read this after reading the part of hart page

 

Jan 31^st by a mistake, I thought I had written the sheet all over before taking the part of sheet. We have been out and been inspected by the Lieu't Co'l of the 39^th Mass Reg't. The snow is on the ground yet but as it is not frozen it is mudy in spots.

 

            We do not have to go on picket so often as we did. I came off a week ago tomorrow and shall not go on again before Tuesday sure.

 

            Another mail to night! and any quantity of news I hope. I shall look for news from you and shall expect to hear from that money too.

 

            The weather is quite warm to day and a little hazy that appears to denote another storm of some kind. Since I commenced writing this page, I have had to stop and guard the prisoner that I spoke of, a little while. Marion, Fairfield and myself have just been up to the commissary to weigh. Fairfield weighed 183, Marion 180, and I 153 lbs—weighed it in my blowse.

 

            Keep up your courage, do as well as you know how. don't feel worried about me or anything else and we shall come out all right in the end.

 

            I should like very much to have every thing right at home, and have you with me the rest of the term. You would see many things that you are not much accustomed to besides learning somthing about military life. But after all you are much better of at home. To those who like adventure and care to suffer some for it, a soldiers life is adapted.

 

            Tell mother not to worrie. Write often J.F.L.

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