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

Camp Hooker, Monocacy Bridge, Maryland

Monday Evening Dec 1^st 1862

 

My Dear Mother

                        I must write you a few lines tonight in answer to your dear letter which was received by me this afternoon I have written two letters today one to Aunt Clemmy and one to Phebe Ann I received a letter from Phebe Ann and she said that you had been up there to see them. my health is first rate as usual, and appetite good. we have first rate grub now Mother, we have potatoes, and Joe makes us a beef stew occasionally. we had one for dinner today, and I tell you Mother it was very much like home, but I shall have to stop writing I believe and stuff something in my ears, for they are making such a noise in the next Company that I can hardly think of anything. they have a violin and a / banjo, and they are singing at a great rate. I can thank you very much for sending me that money Mother, although I could have got along well enough without it, but I believe I will not send it back, ha, ha. I hope Uncle Sam will let me have some soon so that I can return it though, but the longer we have to wait, the bigger pile we will have when it does come. if I can finish this letter soon enough tonight, I shall drop a few lines to Ann, Lib, Johnson. God grant that we may both be spared to meet again Mother I hope you will be better when this reaches you. let us put our trust in God dear Mother for he doeth all things well. I shall write to John before long, or as soon as I have an opportunity. I think you must be having a hard time with a sore finger and a sore toe beside Mrs White thinks I had better come home well I reckon it will be a right smart time before that happens. I came forth / to serve my Country, and share with my fellow Soldiers, the hardships and privations of a soldiers life, and deal with traitors as they deserve. But may God grant that this wicked war may soon be brought to a close. As to my getting married Mother I dont think that will ever happen, for if I live my term out, I shall be a good housekeeper, and I can buy a few yards of muslin and make a tent, and take in sewing, day work &c. you may send that box between Christmas and New Years, if nothing happens. you spoke about sending me a turkey it will keep well enough Mother, but I dont want you to send anything that will be too much trouble to prepare, or cost you to much. I should like to have a nice little fruit cake, and some butter crackers, a little piece of cheese and whatever you think best, but it will be some little time yet and if there is anything that I want particularly I can let you know. I wish Charley Wood very much joy / a long life and happy one. tell John Esek says he will keep up his spirits as long as he can, but he wouldn't want to wait until the Democrats settled the war. yesterday was general Inspection it took one hour, but as luck would have it, we had the rest part of the Lord's day for rest and I must tell you that Serg^t Foster and myself was out to church last night. the Co^l studied a little while before he would grant us a pass, but he is a good old Co^l. the meeting was about two mile from camp in a school house. there were but very few there, but I havn't had anything to do me so much good as that meeting done me. it seemed so much like home to go in a house and hear preaching once more. the denomination was the United Brethren same thing nearly as Methodist after one of the Brothers had spoken, they held a prayer meeting and then some of the women prayed and splendid prayers they were. after meeting was / dismissed one of the Brothers invited us home with him we had a decent little chat for an hour or so, eat as many apples as we could and then returned to camp. John Medzgar run away from the 29^th the other day and came over here to see us, he looks first rate, he said there were quite a number on the sick list, he borrowed a citizens suit and came through all right. he stayed an hour or two, and then returned to his Reg^t. I dont know what to say about Uncle Ben. it seems like a mystery to me every time I think the matter over, but may / God deal with him justly.

 

remember me to Major tell him I will answer his letter soon. give my love to all your neighbors & enquiring friends, also remember me to Grandmother, and John. I must now bring my letter to a close. when I get to writing Mother I hardly know when to stop, but I must bid you a good night and may God be with you and bless you

 

write soon

           

From Your ever loving Son

in the Army                

Serg^t A. C. Harrison

Camp Hooker

Co. G. 14^th Reg^t N. J. Vols

Monocacy Bridge

M^d

To my mother

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