Camp in the Woods

some 15 or more miles from the last place (created)—Harpers Ferry—about one mile from the Poto river in State of Maryland

 

                        This is Wednesday 8^th of October 1862. We arrived here to day & find our Reg & Division here in the woods We are about 10 miles down the river from Hagerstown Yesterday we marched about 15 York miles 12 Maryland miles. The Boys are generally well.

 

Last night we sleped without tents & find no tents here. How long we may remain here is not known. We are all very tired—sore feet & legs. / Here I am flat on the ground writing this epistle.

 

            Tell Mat Manferd is well & cooking well. My feet are very sore & I am "work out" entirely—dirty & very dusty. I am very sure I cannot endure marching

 

            I have writen three or more letters home since I left but rec no reply from you. Write to me for the present as follows "Lieut C F R Washington DC—77^th Reg NYSV—Smith Division care of Cap JRRockwell".

 

            Do write often. We expect Maj French here this week & then I can tell what to look for as regards my future as a military character.

 

I am feeling very well at / "heart" as goes the say.

 

            If I had seen a nice dog downing such food as I & we have eaten for past two weeks I would have felt like kicking him & disowning the claim that there is decency in "dog-dom" at all No man (a workman) can begin to tell any thing of a Soldiers fare or hardships

 

            Now this perfectly confidential to you. I know I can tell you my dear wife all about camp life & feel sure that it will not pass to the public

 

            If you see Mrs Monroe tell her Ja^s—her husband is very well & looking very well, & I enjoyed the meeting with him very much /

 

            Take good care of the boys & kiss the boy Guy for his Father. I will write often. Tell me how you get along if you are suffering for anything. I have been living on other men' cash for a week past

 

            To you my Dear Hattie

wife.

            Truly your       Cyrus

SOURCES