Camp of the 14^th N.J. Vols

Near Frederick City M^d

Thursday July 2^nd 1863

                       

Dear Mother

I seat myself this morning on my rubber blanket to drop you a few lines to assure you that by the blessing of God I am in good health, and I earnestly hope this may find you & John as well as all my friends in good health. you see by the heading of my letter that we are again in the vicinity of Frederick City, but we are not alone. The whole 3^rd Division is here. General French is in command he appears like a fine / General and exhibits warm feelings for his men. we left or rather abandoned Maryland Hights night before last after destroying all that was of any account. since night before last we have marched 25 miles. we arrived here last night before sunset and will stay here all day today until the remainder of the Division comes up, and then we will press on in the direction of Baltimore to join Genr^l Hooker. we number in the neighborhood of 20,000, quite a decent little reinforcement for old Uncle Joe, ha, ha. Company G are all well. I never felt better in my life than I have felt since we / left Camp Hooker and God grant that I may continue in good health. we had a good nights rest last night and were all ready to shove on this morning, but as we are not going on this morning we will have the more time for rest. I received a letter from you last night dated the 16^th of June with a few lines from Carrie. I was glad to hear from you even if the letter was a little old, but I was surprised to hear I was going to be discharged ha, ha. big thing. it is very strange who it is gets up such reports, talk of my getting discharged when I am in good / health and you know I am sure if I was not able for duty, I could not march 25 mile in little over a day. now Mother I dont want you to worry at the reports you hear, all I ask is your prayers. God will hear and answer them. you must take good care of yourself and I want to assure you that I will do the same. when I get a discharge or think of getting one, I will let you know, but I think within a very few months, perhaps weeks, you will hear that the whole Rebel Army under General Lee has been totally routed. I think they will wind up their existence in Maryland. The Lord will smile on the right. / if you dont hear from me so soon you must not worry, for we may be on the march for two weeks or more, and perhaps there will be no chance of sending a letter or mail, but I will write as often as I can. remember me to all your neighbors, especially to Carrie. I was glad to receive a few lines from her. tell her Charlie White sends his best respects and will not forget to give her an invite to his wedding, ha, ha. that rupture is gone I dont feel anything of it and havn't for some ten weeks. 

 

The Boys send their love to you and John. you must excuse this bad writing for I am in a hurry as I want to clean my gun. if you write to Aunt Clemmy give my love to her and Uncle Henry. tell them the 14^th N.J. is going to do their duty. I dont know when I will have an opportunity to write to them, for we are not at Camp Hooker now with nothing to do but write, ha, ha. but if we have a good chance the boys of the 14^th will show the Rebs what our fore fathers showed to the Red coats at the battle of Bunker Hill and old Monmouth for instance. 

 

            The citizens of Frederick have been swarming out to greet us. I tell you they were glad to see us again. the weather is fine this morning, nice and cool, but I must now bring my letter to a close with love to you and John, and may the Lord bless you and keep you from all harm and let me again tell you not to worry but trust in God who doeth all things well.

           

Direct [directions cut out]

 

            your Son Albert with love

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