Headquarters 14^th Regt New Jersey Vols

Camp Hooker, Monocacy Bridge, Maryland

Saturday Evening Feb 14^th 1863

 

My Dear Mother

                        I seat myself this evening to scribble you a few lines in answer to your dear letter which was received by me this afternoon. I had been anxiously looking for the letter Mother to see if you had received the money I sent you, and to my great delight I found that it had been received by you.

 

                        I told you that I would send you some more when I wrote again, but I will not send you any in this letter for we are going to get two months pay again next monday, and then I think I shall send it by express as I will have about thirty dollars to send you, and if you want to use it you may do so, & if not you can lay it away & perhaps we can raise enough after a while to buy a lot. what do you think of that Mother. you know Mother we use'd to talk a / great eal about buying a lot, so I shall raise the money by degrees and you can buy the lot. And if God spares my life to come home to you, I can go at work & build a log cabin, for I think I will be an experienced hand, ha, ha. but a few yards of canvass would build me a house sufficient for me to live in, but you see that wouldn't suit you & John, ha, ha, ha.

 

            I was happy to hear that Cousin James is married at last, but I would be more happy to know who his better half is. please let me know in your next letter. I supose it is Lize Wardell isn't it. (Lisar)

 

            I would like to have flew to Jersey & been there just long enough to have had a peep at you & John & seen Jim go through the ceremony and then flew back again to old Maryland. dont you think for a moment that I am tired of soldiering Mother, for as long as the Stars & Stripes wave by the help of God I never wish to even have a thought enter my mind to the effect that I would not for a moment stand by the old / Banner of Freedom. So you see Mother I am not at all homesick. that is a word dont bother my noddle any ha, ha, ha

 

            One of the men has gone home on a furlough out of my tent. his family live in Eaton Town (Thomas Tallman) his wife was very sick.

 

            The Red Bank boys are all well Chadwick has just been in my tent he sends his kind regards to you & John. Eseck is well & hearty. I guess you would think so if you could see him, he only weighs 191½ pounds. he used to weigh 168 & 70 he says it is Uncle Sams fault for feeding him so well. he is laying off on the bed & smoking like a good fellow. he sends his love. if anybody wants to get fat, they better go a sogering. tell Major he better come down for we want recruits & will make him a corporal. 'The Girls' I expect are having gay times. let them go it while theyre young, for when they get old they can't I think I shall have to bring my letter to a close as it is near roll call. I havn't heard from Libbie in some time. I thought / there was some thing out, ha, ha, ha. I am going to send a Valentine in your letter I want you to give it to Janey Bergen in return for the one she sent me

 

            I received four letters this week that have been over a month in Washington one was from you. you wrote it before I received my last box one was from Conny. Ged Conover & G. H. Austin

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I hope to hear from you soon May God watch over you all & bless you

 

give my love to John & all my friends

 

your loving Son in the Army

Serg^t Albert. C. Harrison

Col G. 14^th Reg^t N.J.Vols

 

(P.S

            Mother I think your

dress will make up very nice

Albert)

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