Sunday night ½ past 7 O'clock Sep^t 14^th/62

Alberton. Howard County. M^d.

Headquarters 14^th N.J. Vol^r

 

My Dear Mother

            As I will have more time tonight I will commence scribbling you a few lines with my polkberry ink my own manufacture in answer to your letter which I received this morning, and read with more interest, than any I ever received I was glad to hear that you could say you was well only a little nervous. But thank God you were well enough to write to me, and by his kind Providence may you continue so. Dear Mother I rejoice to think that I am a Soldier not only in this Glorious Union Army but in the army of God, where there will be no / fighting and I thank God that there are some soldiers in this our own Regiment, that feel their need of a savior. We have a geat many members of churches of different denominations in the Regiment. We hold Prayer meetings every successive night until the Taps of the drum to turn in. There was a happy time last night among us for our Chaplain had just arrived a finer young man you dont often cross or a smarter one. his name is Rose he is from Trenton. We held a meeting this afternoon before the Colonel^s tent, and had a reviving time. The Boys are all in good health and excellent spirits. They are all anxious to say a few words to the Rebels in the shape of bullets. But as things / look in down the land of Dixie I dont think they will have a chance to satisfy their wishes. There has been an old fashioned Battle fought since last friday. You will see it likely in the papers before you receive my letter. But I will tell you all I know about it.

 

            The Colonel sent 105 men yesterday to guard the provision train as far as Frederick Junction when I wrote to Libbie the Rebels were 30,000 at that place but three hearty cheers for the Union. M^cClellan has given them Hail Columbia assisted by the Noble Burnside. they took 2,000 Rebel Cavalry and 800 Infantry at one haul and have the remainder of them surrounded without a doubt / Our Boys returned tonight and said the provisions went through all right. there were about 3,000 wagons ready to take the supplies on to M^cClellan the bridge I spoke about in Libbies letter that we guarded is blown up The Battle was fought on our old camp ground they said it was a sorry old spot. some of the Boys brought back swords pistols bayonets and all quantities of rubbish. There was immense excitement in the camp to night when the Boys returned We heard they were all taken prisoners. But they came in all sound and whole. you spoke about that money I want you to use it for what is mine is yours as for myself now, I have $5.25 cents left and expect to keep it as I get enough to eat /

 

No 2

I suppose Libbie told you all the particulars of our leaving Frederick so I will only state to you that we are incamped in an apple orchard and a splendid position it is. the water is excellent. The trees are loaded down with fruit and we are in an enemys country and on a Secesh farm. the owners name is Darcey and is rank Secesh He came over when we first came here, but had but little to say, as it was not well for him to say much.

 

            Monday Morning Sep^t 15^th 1862

I will commence again this morning and say a few words as I have a few minutes to spare before going to breakfast. It is a little coudy this morning but will / be a scorcher by and by. that is about 10 O'clock we have breakfast at seven O'clock then get on our equipments at 9 drill until 11 Oclock have dinner at 12 Oclock equip ourselves again and drill from 2 until 4 O'clock, have a Dress Parade at 6 O'clock lasting half an hour We drill well for the short time we have been in the field.

 

The Colonel is beloved by all and in fact all the Officers. Major Freden Burgh is on hand all the while. Brigadier General Thomas is out on Picket duty he went out yesterday morning and will be in this morning The Boys call him assistant-Adjutant but I think he need promotion. There were about fifty letters came yesterday morning for Company G. and you would have laughed to see the Boys / rush after me. their faces were all pleasure. some would receive 2, 3, & 4 letters and turn away singing or whistling, and some received none they would turn away sad and dejected and wonder why there were none for them. But I wasn't among the first. I made a mistake I wasn't among the last and no one rejoiced more than I

 

            You said Libbie received her letter when you received yours. I expected to have two yesterday but yours was the only one I received I may receive another one today at least I hope so. the only way we get anything here is to trust to time. perhaps Libbie hasn't finished reading the epistle I sent her. Just ask her will you Mother We are going to breakfast now so I will stop and then I can tell you what I had for breakfast. 

 

As I have had a refresheshing refreshing breakfast, I will again resume my letter. let me see. I said I would tell you what I had for breakfast. well I will do so. it will be no trouble at all. I had 1 loaf of bread which weighs 22oz^s 2 potatoes a huge chunk of bacon I havn't had a chance to find fault yet except when we skeddaddled from Frederick. then we had nothing but paveing stones some may call them soda crackers but I think they came without calling. You said Hank had been over to see you and had gained 5lbs how I would like to see him. without a joke Mother I have gained 4lbs since I enlisted my health is better than it ever was in that store I dont feel the least inclined to be there. when you write again Mother let me know how the nine months men are getting along. I mean those men that were bought with a Hundred Dollars for fear of draft Remember me to Dominy Middleditch. (look at No 3)

                                                sheet /

            (Continued from No 2.) and Remember me to Mrs Throckmorton tell her I would like to hear her and Mrs Vanness talk a little. tell them I am not sorry that I am one of Uncle Sams sons. he uses us well, if we do have to sacrifice home ties, and feather beds, and all such like. I would like to drop in and see you all this morning you and Libbie especially. give my love to her and tell her to be a good girl and I will come home and see her bye and bye the Southern Confederacy is nearly played out Mother you may make up your mind to that, for Mother I can see more truth here than you can read in the paper in six months. there are only two cases of sickness in the Regiment and they are in favorable circumstances of recovery. if you see Hank again soon tell him to come down and see me or write to me / remember me to Grandmother to John and all enquiring friends and if any wish to write to me give them the direction

Sergt Albert. C. Harrison

Alberton.

Howard County M^d

14^th N.J. Vol^s Co. G.

 

Charley White sends his love to you Mother. he hasn't any hair on the top of his head, the place where the wool ought to grow. he has his head shaved, and looks like a what is it We talk of sending him to Barnums. William Byram is getting bald Thompson says he never was better in his life, but would like to have a drink of apple. But I can't see it. George White says if it wasn't for Polk Berries it would cost me a pile for ink, but so be it I am bound to write. the 12^th NJ is within 3 miles of us encamped at a place called Ellicotts Mills. I suppose you are aware of our being in Wools Division I think we will be Brigaded soon. Write when you have a chance I must come to a close as it is time for squad drill and I must get out my squad Tell Major to write to me 

 

No 4

            And I will answer his letter. O yes there is something else. tell Libbie to let me know if Kate has been down and must tell her to write to me I saw her before I left Freehold I must bring my letter to a close

 

From Your Ever Obedient and

affectionate Son

                        Albert. C. Harrison

 

(P.S.) if you think I havn't written enough this time I will try and do better the next

                       

Remember me to Mrs G^eo White 

 

Those stamps you sent, Mother came very acceptable

 

I have just come in from Squad drill my watch has just struck eleven Good Bye

 

May God bless and preserve you all

Albert.

                                               

I am going to write to Aunt Clemmy this afternoon also to Ged Conover or to Clemmy I havn't made up my mind yet. I think I shall write to the latter first I declare I can hardly stop writing

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