Camp of the 14^th Reg^t N. J. Vol^s July 17^th 1863

Pleasant Valley. Near Maryland Hights

 

My Dear Mother. I seat myself this afternoon to drop you a few lines to inform you that I am enjoying the very best of health and thank God for the same I guess you will believe now that I am in the midst of health, or I couldn't march with the Army of the Potomac, will you not Mother, when I can get over about 20 or 25 mile a day ha, ha. how are you marching with a big Army. our Corps came down here yesterday from Williams Port. it is now about 3 oclock and raining quite hard. it rained the most of the time when we were at the Hights before, and I guess it is going to rain until we move from here, at least it looks now very much like it. Sergeants Foster, Chadwick & myself have quite a shanty rigged up so I think we can stand the storm. I havn't heard from you since we left Frederick City the last time that was on the 4^th of July. I wrote to you last week. I hope you have rec^d it. I expect you worry about me / as usual, but I assure you I am getting along finely and like my bargain better than ever. it is true we see some hardship but what of that. that is nothing I am willing to suffer anything to save and restore our old Union The War will not last a great while longer Mother, so keep a good heart, trust in God & all will be well at last. the Rebellion has received a great blow. look to Vicksburg look to Port Hudson. Charleston I trust will be also in our hands. Genr^l Lee cannot long hold out. He will very soon see his folly, but it will be to late for him. the day is not far distant when our tattered banners will again wave in triumph over the South & North. Secession will be no more. God grant it. 

 

I dont expect you can out half of that writing but perhaps you can study some of it out enough anyhow so assure you that I am well the Boys are well from the Bank with the except Serg^t Diblin. we left him at Frederick but he wasn't very bad. we are drawing fresh meat for supper so I must stop and cook a steak, ha, ha. a Porter House steak / we are in the 3 Brigade 3^rd Division 3^rd Army Corps Gen^l French commands the Corps now as Gen Sickles was wounded at Gettysburg. I dont know whether we will go over in Virginia or not but I expect we will. I will try & write you a little more decent letter next time /

 

Camp of the 14^th N.J.Vols

give my best respects to all your neighbors & enquiring friends. May the Lord bless you all. I close with love to you & John. I heard there was quite a time in N.York on account of the draft. I eached to be there with Co. G / I think we would have learned them a lesson, but I see by the papers of today that the mob has been quelled.

                       

Your Son Albert

            Serg^t A C Harrison

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

            3^rd Brigade 3^rd Divis.

            3^rd Army Corps.

                        Washington, D.C.

            or else where

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I saw Cap^t Sleeper & John H. Smith today. they look first rate. I have seen all my old chums in the 11^th Reg^t

            (Albert)

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