Camp of the 14^th N.J. Vols.

Near Bealton Station, Va.

Nov 3^d/63

                       

Dearest Mother

I will take up my pen this evening to drop you a few lines in answer to yours of the 30^th which came duly to hand also the Standards & their contents. I was much pleased to hear you so as to be around & cord up wood.

 

Well Mother since last I wrote nothing has transpired worth my mentioning. O yes I am sorry to say I was to hasty. A load of boxes / came in camp this afternoon & there happened to be one for one of my tent mates, J. W. Hartshorn. it was from home and the most of the articles were eatables, comprising jelly cake, sponge cake, pound cake, sausage, preserves, pickles, apples &c. well there is no use in talking I am full up to the neck. o yes there was some first rate butter, I forgot that

 

well we just had a first class Jersey supper. I am now smoking some of Connys Oronoco, it is very good. please thank Conny for his kindness & I also thank my Mother for sending it, as there / are four of us that tent together you see the four segars just fit, ha, ha. it is warmer tonight than it has been in some time heretofore. I think in all probability we will have rain before many hours. it is likely we will move from here before long. I rather thought last night that we would move on today, but we didn't as it happened. I was over to the 2^nd Division yesterday afternoon & saw Lieut John Sowder, Capt Sleeper & Sergt Jeff. Thompson. I took supper with Jeff. they are all well. I also saw John H. Smith. he was around as usual, also / John Mount from Long Branch. I guess John knows him

 

            I was sorry to hear that Major had been robbed. I will look out for the thief if he comes this way. I will write to Conny tomorrow if we still lay here & God spares me. I had a letter from Bloomfield W. he gave me the full details of the marriage. O if I had been at home, we should have went to the wedding by all means. The Orderly wasn't in the same Hospital which Charlie White was in but he saw him before he came from Washington. he is now at Alexandria at the Convalescent Camp waiting to be sent on to the Regiment. I have been expecting to see him every day. I had a letter from him about a week ago he was anxious to get back with us again. you say perhaps I can tell which is the worst being at the Hospital or in the field. / Well Mother I can tell you in Double quick time where I would rather be, that is just where I am most likely to get a shot at the Johnies (Thats where I live). What kind of a soldier would I be if I was afraid of danger & of hardship. I wouldn't give a pinch of snuff for any such Soldier as that. they are no good to our Country. I have not seen to tell the truth as much hardship as I expected when I left home, and I thank God that it has been no worse. I feel that I have been richly blest, my myself only, but my Dear Mother also. I feel to thank God most fervently that you have been spared to me. / I believe there is nothing that I need at this present time, but if we ever get in winter quarters, I think I shall call for a box, so if you should happen to go to New York any time between now & freezing weather you can get something from Aunt Clemmy perhaps or Uncle Henry. (Coal seems to be well up in the market) But I must now bring my letter to a close by bidding you good night & may God bless you all & keep you firm in the faith. My best wishes to friends

                       

Your loving Son Albert                     

Sergt Co G

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