Camp Hooker

Near Frederick City, Maryland

Headquarters 14^th Reg^t New Jer'y. Vol^s

Wednesday April 22^nd 1863

 

My Dear Mother,

                        I must sit down this fine morning and scratch you a few lines to assure you that Albert feels first rate this morning. Dan^l Thompson arrived last night safe and sound, and to my delight I found he had a letter for me from you.

 

I heard the sad news of Uncle Charles's death before I received your letter, as I had a letter from Libbie. I could hardly believe my own eyes when I saw it I had written him a letter / about a week ago. God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform. Let us look up to God, and trust that the spirit of the departed is rejoicing with its maker. The Book of Jeremiah tells us "saith God, Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive, And let thy widows trust in me. How good is the Lord, The Lord provideth for us. He is a father to the fatherless and a husband to the Widow" remember me to Aunt Elisabeth, tell her to trust in God for He doeth all things well.

 

            I have heard some of the greatest news lately. it is really laughable. I have heard / that I was going to be discharged and I heard again that I wouldn't live long if I staid down here, and all that sort of thing, and it all come from Jersey. I would like to know, who tells such. They tell, and seem to know, more about me than I know myself ha, ha. It is no such thing. I have made no applications for a discharge, and I do not intend to, so you see Mother whoever told that dont know anything about it, but folks will talk, and I think once in awhile they raise things right out of the solid. I think if the Lord spares my life to be / discharged from Service it will be when the Reg^t is mustered out, for I love the Service to well to leave even if I could get my discharge you must not think that I am deceiving you, for I tell the truth and nothing but the truth. I have not done any duty yet, neither do I intend to yet awhile, but I feel first rate today, my back is all that bothers me any, and you know what a lame back is, for I know you have had it. I have not been discharged from the hospital and will not be until my back gets stronger, so you must not worry yourself / Mother on my account, for I assure I am doing well enough. You must take good care of yourself, for I know you need all the strength that you loose in worrying. do all in your power to sympathize with Aunt Elisabeth, may God in His boundless love look down upon her, and bind up her wounded feelings. I received the two Standards and I found among the deaths the name of one of my old school mates, Sydney Anmack. Let us be constantly on our guard for we know not when the Son of Man cometh, let us keep our / lamps trimmed and burning, that when the dark cloak of death shall be thrown around us, our spirits may take their flight to the everlasting regions of bliss prepared for those that love and serve God and keep his Commandments.

 

            I was glad to hear that you received the money and that pretty face. I am going to get another picture taken just like that and send it to Grandmother. give my love to her.

 

            There are not many in the hospital now. I think as soon as the weather gets settled it will be pretty well thinned / out. There is only one now that has to keep his bed. he is out of my tent, he is quite sick. you will not know him if I tell you his name, Solomon Disbrow.

 

            It is a beautiful day only a little chilly. I was looking at the moon last night. I think we are going to have a dry one. I hope so, for we have had a very wet spring so far.

 

            Give my love to John and to all the neighbors and enquiring friends. I expect there is a great time around expecting me to come home with my discharge. that's a tall thing. if any body tells / you anything about it tell them that I think to much of the Service to come home. I know they had me in the hospital about two weeks before I was here, ha, ha. so you see it dont do to believe everything you hear, but I guess you knew that long ago.

but I must bring my letter to a close as I have all the news in that I can think of. you must write soon, and not worry any more about me.

 

May God bless you all & when done with us here on earth may He take us to Himself in Heaven.

                                               

Your Son Albert with love

Serg^t Albert C. Harrison

Co. G. 14^th Reg^t NJ Camp Hooker, Near Frederick City M^d

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