On top of Sugar Loaf mountain

Md. June 23^d 1863.

                       

Dear Brother:

Now see that instead of being on my way home I am still in Md. and in a new place. Marion told me to date it H—l's Kitchen but I thought I wouldent.

 

            In my last I told you how and when we came from Alexandria to Poolville. This morning our Co. were ordered to this place to guard the Signal Corps which is stationed here.

 

            We heared the cannonading all day Sunday, between our 5^th and 6^th Corps and a part of Longstreets forces near Thour Thoroughfare gap, and really hoped we should be ordered / up as the boys say when playing Eucher. I suppose you are looking for news of me in Portland but I dont see myself going that way very fast just now and I dont know when we shall start but I think we shall have to stop untill the 29^th.

 

            I hope to be with you the fourth but am affraid I cannot.

 

            I suppose what detains us is the raid of Lees army, this way. A man by the name of Hobbs in Co. H. was axcidentally shot this morning just as he was going out on drill His covering man, in the rear rank happened to get hold of a gun which had been out on picket and was loaded, instead of his own and by careless handling he discharged it the charge passing through / his file leader's head killing him instantly. They call it about 8 miles from Poolsville and we came two or three miles farther on account of making a mistake in the road. We started at 8 oclock this morning and got here about 3 this afternoon. It is most sunset now and Marion and myself have just spread our blankets down on all out doors for a nights rest which we never fail in obtaining.

 

            I am well and enjoy myself as well as usual.

 

            I stand the marches first rate. I never saw such fine cherrys as grow around here I wish you could have feasted on some with me to day.

 

            If anything happens I will write again before I come home

            J. F. Libby /

 

P.S. I hope you will find this all out, but am affraid we can you cannot

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