Camp Hooker, Monocacy Creek M^d

Headquarters 14^th Regiment N.J. Volunteers

Saturday evening Oct 18^th 1862

 

My Dear Mother

                        I want to amuse myself in some way so I shall take hold of my pen and write you a few lines, although I dont think I shall have time to finish a letter tonight but I can do so in the morning if we don't have to turn out again tomorrow in search of the enemy which I think will be rather doubtful for the rebels are not going to show themselves where the 14 N.J. is if they know it beforehand, ahem. the news from the West Mother, looks very encouraging. it may not look so to you Mother but it does to us the rebel Army will soon be extinct in the south west also in the South, that is without a doubt. we have troops enough in the field to sweep the whole rebellion out of existence, and the movement will soon be made. Harpers Ferry is alive with Union / troops, there are about five hundred thousand in the vicinity of the place. there was a New York Regiment went through here today on their way to that point, but about a week ago there would be regiments going through constantly, but we are left behind in our old position, and likely to be I think because the bridge cross Monocacy creek must be guarded, and it so happened to fall to our lot to be the guards of said bridge some of our boys have been called out tonight to guard a provision train across the bridge that came in about dark and it will proceed to Harpers Ferry in the morning. I have heard from the 29^th Boys two or three times, and they seem from all accounts to be having rather a rough time of it. they say they dont get enough to eat but whether to believe it or not I don't know. if I was to judge by ourselves I would say they could not eat their full rations for the heaviest eaters among us cannot begin to eat their whole ration. I tell you mother we are doing first rate. we get nicer beef than you / can get of shoppy, not affronting Shoppy at all, but we get splendid beef and as good bread as any baker on Red Bank can shove out of an oven, and as nice soup as any of the boarding houses on Long Branch can boast of, of which Joseph Reeves must receive the credit. we sold enough last month to pay Joe his month's wages and had a little change left over. so you may judge Mother that there was no danger of our starving. some of the nine month's boys seem to be a little jealous of us and call us General Wool's Candy Regiment ha, ha, they have need perhaps of being jealous though I have no objection. oh there goes the taps and the lights must go out but not before I read a chapter so good night.

 

            Sabbath Morning Oct. 19^th

Dear mother as I said in the commencement of my letter that I didn't think I could finish this letter before this morning such proved to be the case, but I shall try and do so this morning it is now nine O'clock we have had an inspection of arms and knapsacks / this morning. as I am not on guard today I will not have anything to do before dress Parade tonight. how I should like to drop in and hear Dominy Middleditch preach one of his good sermons this morning. I dont think much of our Chaplain for I dont think he thinks enough of our spiritual welfare. when he does preach to us he has very short sermons he never visits the tents to talk to us, or no way appears sociable, but I suppose it is kind of a way he has got into. I received a letter from Conny Hendrickson and it brought me the news of the death of J. Conk I was very much surprised, but God's will be done I hope he was prepared to meet his God. how much we need to be prepared, for we know not when the son of man cometh. Conny also sent me eight stamps I think a great eal of him, more now than ever. I also received a letter from Johny Bergen. I expect to receive one from you the first of the week, in answer to that epistle I sent you. one of our men received a letter from the 29^th Reg^t stating that they were two mile this side of Harpers Ferry but it may not be a true statement. that would bring them about twenty mile in a north westerly direction from us. oh Mother we have a Colonel that is showing himself a man and one that every man in the Regiment loves and respects. the Banks boys are all well now. Dyke was sick but he is out again / there hasn't been a man in our Company reported to the Surgeon in two days. it seems as the weather grows cooler it gets healthier. the men in the Hospital out of other companies are gaining. it is a splendid morning and I must soon bring my letter to a close and take a walk down to the railroad. I expect you will get tired reading this before you get through. give my love to John and above all mother remember me to Uncle Charles and Aunt Elisabeth tell them I will not get tired of Soldiering as I fairly love it. Charley White and George send their love to you and their friends tell Mrs Kroner that Charley is getting fat as / a pig, and sends his love to you her and Mr Kroner. Johny Bergen said they was doing a first rate business. I am glad to hear somebody on Red Bank is doing a good business, for Conny said the grocery business grew worse and worse remember me to Libbie and her folks and to all equiring friends and accept the love and affection of an only son

                                                                       

Serg^t Albert. C. Harrison

Camp Hooker

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

Monocacy Creek M^d

 

P.S       May God bless and preserve you all and keep you in good health

                                                           

Good Bye

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