Headquarters 14^th Reg^t N.J. Vols.

Camp Hooker, Monocacy Bridge, Maryland

Thursday, December 18^th 1862

 

My Dear Mother

                        I have received your letter tonight and now I shall sit down and answer it immediately and before I proceed farther let me tell you that I am enjoying excellent health as usual. I am not the pale clerk you saw some four months and five days ago, but a hearty and rugged Soldier, so you see Mother that you need not worry on account of my health. And I believe it was all for the best that I gave up clerking. I am in far better health than while doing such. The health of the Regiment is far better at present than it has been time back. The weather has been quite cold now for two or three days. The Red Bank boys are all well with the exception of George H. Mount who is not able to do duty, but he is not very sick. I should have written before, Mother, but I thought I would wait until tonight and perhaps I would receive a letter from you, and sure enough I did also the package of papers. I think I told you in my last letter that I had written to G. H. Austin. And now I get a paper from him nearly every mail. I received two from him tonight. The 29^th Reg^t has been taken to the front. But we still hang around old camp Hooker and to tell the truth, I dont think we will leave here this winter, but come what will we are prepared for the worst. you must be / more careful another Saturday Mother, and not work yourself sick. I know it is an old fault of yours though, you are bound to work whether you are able or not, so you must be a little more careful. Do you mind that now. I am glad to hear that Grand Ma is in good health. remember me to the old Lady. you hope we keep dry and warm in our tents, I can tell you that we do. if you could see us you would say that we lived nearly as comfortable as we done at home. Eseck sits here mending his blouse coat. he sends his love to you and John and all enquiring friends. We have a plenty to eat Mother all the time. we had roast beef, rice & molasses, and good bread and coffee for supper. what better need we want? that is enough for any one. we had soup bread & beef for dinner and yesterday we had a beef stew &c. You must not worry on that point Mother. there is no sign yet of our getting any treasury notes. But I can get along well enough without them. I have 43 cts yet of that dollar you sent me yet. I dont want you to send me any money mother as I can get along well enough without it. when I want any Mother I will let you know Those stamps were just as good Mother as any it dont make any difference if they do look old. Always try and look on the bright side of the picture Mother, hope for the best and all will be well; God give you strength to bear up under the present troubles. the Lords will be done on earth as it is done in Heaven. He doeth all things well. for He / is a just God. my hair has not seen any grease since I left Freehold that is a fact. neither do I want any on it, as it makes the pillow case so dirty ha, ha, ha, knapsack I mean so you need not send me any oil Mother. I dont think there is any danger of our going to Battle very soon, but if we should & I have time I will get my profile taken for you. when you see Champ again, give my best respects to him. I am glad Henry Clay has got a place in a store, as I think it will lengthen his life, for he was not made for a farmer. I dont think that lock of hair Mother looks very natural. I thank you for sending it. But it is growing late in the evening / and I must draw my letter to a close that I may read a little while. give my love to John & all your neighbors, accepting a large portion to yourself. So I bid you good night, hoping this may find you in good health. write soon and remember me your Son Albert. May God bless you all my friends. you are always in my prayers tell Charley Wood to write and let me know what has become of him; remember to Major tell him not to forget answering my letter

                                                                       

Sergeant Albert C. Harrison

 Co. G. 14^th Reg^t N.J. Vols

Camp Hooker Monocacy Bridge

My Maryland

 

P.S                                                      

Excuse all mistakes                                        

            Albert                                                                          

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