Camp of the 3d Division

Ambulance Corps. Near

Brandy Station, Va.

Dec. 15^th 1863.

 

Dear Mother

                        As I am now at leisure this evening I will take my pen and scratch you a few lines. I have just finished eating a hearty supper. I wish you could have been with me to dine you wouldn't think then that there was any likelihood of my starving.

 

            I paid a visit to camp last night and to my delight I found there was a letter from you. But to my sadness on / reading I found you were low spirited, and when there was no necessity for it.

 

            I have told you often Mother that if you believed what every one said, you would always worry, and now I would like to know what Van Dyke knew concerning me or the late Battle. why he didn't know anything about it and he has been away at the Hospital for a long time. But he is like a great many others, if they cannot find truth enough to tell why they will hatch up a few lies, and thats no hard matter for him to do. I know him to well, I am sorry that you dont and I cannot imagine why / you listen to anything of the kind when you hear from me so often. But I know your weakness and I know too well that you worry at all such rumors. But you worry I see Mother thinking that I will be killed. now Mother you say you prayed for me. has not your prayers been answered? most assuredly; Thank God, then you know that God will hear and answer all those that pray in faith believing that their prayers will be answered. Faith, Mother is what we want.

 

            As to the last Battle Mother, it will be worth more to me than Gold, and may prove to me / far more than you are aware of. you must not say anything and I will tell you that my good conduct in the engagement is highly complimented by our Col. and Lt Colonel, and I will not be forgotten. it was partly through that I gained my present position, which I would rather have than a Lieutenancy if it wasn't for Lieutenants pay. nothing to do of any account, when I last wrote I told you the particulars. Well Mother I believe there is nothing of importance for me to write you farther. the Boys were all well in camp and in first rate quarters. I finished my house today. There are only two of us in the shanty, a man from my own Company / and a fine fellow. he is a married man a Key Porter. he does all my cooking and he understands his business. I have just as nice a little cabin as any one would wish to rest in.

 

            you said you would have to pay $8.00 for my boots. that dont make any difference to me, it is likely we will be paid in the course of a month so you will not be out of money this winter if I can help it rest assured, and I told you in my last letter that I wanted a vest. if you hav'nt bought it yet you had better get me a regulation vest to button up close in the neck. / I believe there is nothing more that I want but what I have made mention of heretofore. give my love to Grandmother I was happy to hear the old lady keeps so well, also to John, and bear me in remembrance to your neighbors and any who may enquire of your Union loving Son Albert       

 

Write soon & I ever remain your loving and      ever Affectionate Son

Serg^t A. C. Harrison

3^d Division Ambulances 3^d A.C. Washington D.C.

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