Camp of the Fourteenth N. J. Vol^s

Green Wood Farm, Near Bealton Station

Virginia August 31^st 1863

 

            Dear Mother,

                        It is monday morning and nothing to do as usual but lay off and think of the future. We have had general Inspection and muster this morning lasting about an hour and if you notice the date of my letter you will see it is the last day of summer, being the end of two summers I have seen in my Country's service. your letter of the 23 & 25 was received by me last Saturday night, and I was happy to hear from you and John again but sorry to hear you were / both complaining. I earnestly hope these few lines may find you both well as this leaves me. I feel fine since the weather has grown cooler. it is uncommon cool for the season of the year, especially for this climate. it is warmer today than it has been in three or four days past. yesterday it was cool all day, and it was very cold last night.

 

            There is no news Mother of any importance. all is quiet along the Rappahannock. I dont think we will have much more to do this season at least not much marching so I dont think I need my discharge, ha, ha. big thing. I reckon Cap^t A will not get me in the invalid Corps / and as to getting a furlough that is out of the question I may get a chance this winter to come home for a few days if nothing happens. But I have an idea we will all be home before many months. if our chances were as slim as the Johnies, I would make up my mind that our cause was caved in, and would want to be crawling out of the back door before I was kicked out, ha, ha. Beauregard must feel rather white to see our little monitors crawling up on Charleston and the next thing we hear will be that the city is either in our hands or in ashes. it dont make much difference which / And Mobile will fall soon after, and what hope have they. none, and one by one the states will again come back to the old Union. God grant we may all live to see it. nothing is impossible with God on our side. We know our cause is just. our Noble Republic must & shall stand if I had ten thousand hands they should all hold a musket in defence of my Country. Dear Mother those are the sentiments of your Son and when I leave the service, it will be because I cannot carry my old pop gun, thats whats the matter. my life & health are as safe in the hands of my Heavenly Father here as any where else, but rest assured when I am sick you shall know it Mother because I am not able at all to march 25 or 30 miles a day right along does not make me sick at heart. /

 

I hear Festullus S Diblin has received his discharge, thats right smart. I expect we will have an election in a few days to elect a new sergeant. I heard Corporal Byram was married before I received your letter ha, ha. O I tell you news travels with the wind. I would like to help you move Mother if you think of moving in your own house. that highly tickles me but you dont say where it is. give my best respects to all your neighbors and love to you and John. I hope to hear soon that you received the check, as you said nothing about it in your last.

 

and now I must bring my letter to a close and get my grub, for it is / nearly noon, but the time of day dont make any difference as long as I feel hungry.

May God bless you all and protect you from all harm          

 

Your loving Son Albert.

 

Directions Same         Sergeant Albert. C. Harrison              Co. G.

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