Headquarters 14^th Reg^t N. J. Vols

Camp Hooker Monocacy Bridge M^d

Sat^dy Mar 7^th 1863

 

My Dear Mother & Father

as Sergeant Joseph Chadwick starts for home at half past three tomorrow morning, I cannot let the opportunity slip, but must write you a few lines to send by him. I was very glad he received his furlough, as his family is sick and besides I shall be sure to know how times are around the village of Red Bank he has an eight day furlough it commences next monday, but as I said he is going to start tomorrow morning and going by the way of New York. he will be in New York tomorrow night if nothing happens him and will be in red bank by 10 o'clock monday morning. I must tell you that I am enjoying excellent health as usual and earnestly hope this may find you and John enjoying the same rich blessings. I received a letter / from Ann Lib Johnson. she said that she had been down to the Bank and had taken dinner with you the day before she wrote.

 

            I took of my men to the Hospital day before yesterday. he was not very sick, but he needed medicine and as they have things fixed so nice now in the Hospital, I thought it would be better for him to go, before he grew any worse. I was down to see him tonight he sat upon his bed and eat a hearty supper. he will out again by next Tuesday. The general health of the Reg^t is as good as usual.

 

            The Battery that has been stationed here with all winter moved to Murfreesborough. some of the boys rather hated to leave their good quarters. we have taken one their buildings for a guard house as it was far better than our old one. the boys have some chance for rest now when they are of duty

            I dont think there are any signs of our leaving Maryland very soon. I heard a part of the Reg^t were going to Frederick City and two / companies were going to stay here I dont know whether it will prove true or not. I must hurry up and finish your letter as I want to answer Ann Libs letter tonight, as I may be on guard tomorrow and then I will not have a chance to write. I am looking for a letter from Aunt Clemmy daily. when I answered her last letter I told her I thought she had almost forgotten her nephew in the 14^th N.J.Vs. I think I told you, in my last letter, that I had written to Cousin Clemmy Conover, perhaps I didn't. I dont know whether I will get answer from her or not, for I know it was an awful hard matter for her to write to Aunt Clemmy. if she does not answer it, I will keep on writing to her until she has to write to me. The boys are sitting around the fire place discussing old matters, talking about one thing and another, their general conversation ranging between New York New Jersey and Maryland. Will Byram has come in and seated himself in the midst. he sends his love to /

I have changed the conversation by asking Eseck if he had any word to send. he says tell John that he is washing away gradually and if there are any more Rebels comes over in Maryland, he will be wasted away entirely. he only weighs 190^lbs ha ha dont you think he will soon be a goner. I do. I think we will have to put him on half rations pretty soon. Cousin Elliott Fields is well he sends his love Charley White & Charley Wood and the rest of the bank boys are all well and hearty as pigs. it is raining as has been of & on all day. I am afraid Chadwick will have a disagreeable trip, but he will think anything of that, for stormy & pleasant days are all the same to a soldier. his duty has to be performed rain or shine.

 

remember me to all the neighbors and enquiring friends. there is nothing that I want I believe. if you want to send any little package he will bring it. that is if you want to send any. 

 

5^th Page

I am going to send you a confederate bill.

 

When you see grandmother tell her I often think of her and wonder how she gets along all alone. give my love to her. when you write Mother let me know how Uncle Ben is getting along, the children &c. remember me to Major. tell him I am coming home one of these days and we will have a big oyster stew with three or four spoons in it. There is no war news of any importance. I think the / war will soon come to a close, for our armies have the Rebels pretty well penned in. one year will I think wind up the whole concern & peace & happiness once more reign in our much loved republic & the land of the Heroic Washington.

Capt Allstrom is well the Lieuts also.

 

            I am afraid you will get tired of reading for I think I would make a good editor for a newspaper dont you think so, Mother and I have written so / fast I am afraid you will have to get a lawyer to make a part of the letter. when I sit myself down I didn't think I would write more than one quarter what I have, but I expect you would sit down and read it through if it was as large as the New York Herald.

 

            I received a letter from Harry Child day before yesterday. he is getting along first rate. I am in hopes Harry will do well

 

            I must close now so I bid you good night & may God guard over / you and bless you write soon

 

            & believe your

ever affectionate soldier

boy      Serg^t Albert C Harrison

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

            Camp Hooker

                        Monocacy Creek

            Maryland

                        To my Mother

            at Red Bank

                        Monmouth County

                                    New Jersey

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