Headquarters 14^th Reg^t New Jersey Vols.

Camp Hooker, Monocacy Bridge, M^d

Friday, February 6^th 1863.

 

My Dear Mother

                        I am going to pen you a few lines this afternoon, but I dont think I can finish your letter before tomorrow, as it is now rather late in the afternoon. I have just received a letter from Aunt Clemmy. I could hardly believe my own eyes, even when I saw it was from her. it is just about two months since I wrote to her. But she has had company or something to do, that has kept her from writing to me.

 

            She says James Conover & Clemence A. had been up to see her & went home last week, and that James was going to be married soon, but she didn't know when it would take place. And another thing, she says that Mrs Brehaut has joined the Presbeterean Church she & Mrs Johnsing sent their love to me. you remember Mrs Johnsing I suppose dont you Mother, ha, ha, ha. She said she had received a letter from Henry Potter and wanted to know of her where I was encamped so he could write to me. its strange he couldn't / find that out short of going to New York for information. I think if he had enquired much around Eaton Town he could have found out, dont you think so Mother? but I suppose he wanted something to write about.

 

            The Paymaster has reached our camp at last. But he didn't leave us many Geen Backs We received pay up to the 31^st of October, therefore I received $29.20^cts. I think we will receive the remainder due us before a great while for that is hardly a smell. I will send you $10.00 Mother in this letter and if this comes to you all right I will send you some more in the next letter I write you. Therefore I want you to write immediately Mother, if it is only a few lines, to assure me that this was received by you safe. Dont you spend that ten Dollars for anything than to buy you a dress Mother. before sure you get your dress & then you can do as you like with the remainder if there is anything left

 

            I took my boots this morning to a shoe maker in Co. B. they will be fixed by tomorrow night. I expect they will cost me about $2.00. if I had received all my pay I should have sent you about $80.00 I should have sent it by express. I think / the ten Dollars that I send you will come all right at least I hope so, for green backs is not to be picked up every where & it dont do to loose them.

 

            It has stormed the greater part of two days now yesterday it snowed and today it has rained it's nice & muddy around camp I tell you but I suppose it is equally so around the Bank, if you have had any such weather as we have. the Red Bank boys are all well I believe. they send their love to you & John

 

            I received your two Standards this afternoon I will have a good time reading this evening. I am going to the City some time tomorrow after a handkerchief & some ink and a few little necessaries. I am not going to spend any more with the Sutler than I can possibly help. Aunt Clemmy says she wants to see you very bad, but dont think she will see you before spring

 

            Well Mother spring will soon be with us again. Eight more days will make six months for me in the Service. I expect it seems like a year to you Mother does it not? But time soon passes away. it seems to me that this war is lost time, it surely is, for the government is losing all the while with but little income. I hope there will soon be a change in affairs. /

 

I done better than I thought I should. I didn't expect to get your letter finished this afternoon

 

            Give my love to John & all enquiring friends

 

Eseck joins in sending love to you all. I hope to have an answer to this soon. May God watch over you & bless you all.

                       

Accept the love of your Son in the Army of Uncle Sam

                                               

Serg^t Albert C Harrison

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

Camp Hooker, Monocacy Bridge

Maryland

                       

Mrs. Cornelia Lloyd

Red Bank

Monmouth County

New Jersey

 

The Union & Constitution as it was

SOURCES