Camp Wool. Frederick Junction

Headquarters 14^th Reg^t N.J. Vol^s

Sep^t 25^th 1862

 

My Dear Mother

                        I received your loving letter yesterday morning. I should have received it night before last, but I was Serg^t of the provost Guard, some distance from our camp. I received three papers also at the same time, a Herald from Harry Child, and two advocates in one package, which I took to be Libbies directions, or rather her hand writing, and a standard but who that was from, I know not. Mother I wish you would tell those that send me papers, to please send their compliments. I answered and sent Libbies letter last Monday. Elisha Keack sent a letter to his mother about the same time you wrote to me. I suppose she has received it before this time. the Boys are all well Charley White and George send their best respects to you. you said you was glad to hear I enjoyed myself if I meant what I said. I shouldn't have told you so if I hadn't meant it. there is no one that is true to his Glorious Country, but what can enjoy himself even if he meets with hardships. there are no hardships, when God is near to bear us up. as for being back in that store, I dont feel the least inclined to be there, neither could I be hired, even if Uncle Sam would consent to it, but he wouldn't want me to stay in a store and loose my health, and be no good to any body. he takes good care of me, gives me a plenty to eat, and some thing that will stick fast the ribs / that is salt pork. you know I never could eat salt pork, when I was home, but mother I can take it now hayo what was that; why its the call for dinner. so I will go down to the cook house and see what Joe Reeves has got for us, and then I can tell you what we have got, so here goes, with my haversack

 

            well Mother I will now tell you what I had. why pork and beans, what better do (I) want (for you know yourself I never liked beans ha, ha.) we have them three or four times a week, and just as many as we can eat, but there will be one once in a while who will growl. you know there are some folks never know when they are well of but as for me, I am always satisfied if I get enough no matter what it is. I am getting right smart down yer (taken from, at least quoted from the Marylanders, ahem) You spoke about the nine months Boys, I think they must be getting along slowly. I wish they were down here. they would have enough to do, without stealing sheep I always thought dogs were bad enough, but men sheep stealers is a great eal worse in my opinion. I had to leave my old tent where the Red Bank boys all were, and go in another. they had to put a Serg^t in each tent, to see if the boys or at least men I should call them, done their duty, kept every thing clean and so forth, but I thank God that it was so. I have broken up all swearing & gambling and have set them a good example, by praying / and reading the Testament regularly every night and morning, and if a soldier happens to come in our tent from and another one and happens to swear, they order him out and tell him he is no company for them until he stops all profane swearing. may God help me to accomplish my object in view, he is my only strength, in him I put my trust; tell Major to come down here and let me look at him, before he speaks for his box. Just send gipsy down on the telegraph. I will get her enough to eat there is any quantity of bones buried around here. I dont get any sweet potatoes, or havn't seen any. there are but very few sweet potatoes raised around here this season I dont think you would know me now I have turned a shade darker, and if I dont get shaved very soon I am afraid I wont know myself ahem. Susan Cook I see is alive yet. I think it was the longest letter I ever knew you to write, but I wish it had been longer. dont be afraid of writing too much nor too often, for I have a plenty of time to read and answer all the letters you send, or any one else. I thank you for those stamps Mother. Aunt Clemmy hasn't answered my letter yet, but it will be along. give my love to Libbie and Kate and all the family. give my love to John, tell him that Esek Howland is in my tent George Howlands brother and a fine fellow he is. Esek says he and John were great cronies he sends his best respects to him and you. I have all the Poplar boys in my tent Abram Medzgar / Elliott Fields and they are all good Boys

 

            but Mother I must close my letter, as it is time for drill so good bye, give my love to all receiving a share for yourself,

                                   

Directions

            Serg^t Albert. C. Harrison

                        Camp Hooker

            14^th N.J. Vol^s Co. G

                        Near Frederick City

                                                M^d

           

From your ever dear and affectionate son

Albert

                       

 

P.S. I have received my warrant as 2^nd Serg^t

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