Camp Near City Point, Va.

Oct 15^th 1864.

 

Dear Mother & Father

                        I will now take my pen and scratch you a few lines. We have arrived in our new camp and have our quarters built and fireplaces up, but whether we will remain here long enough to enjoy the fruits of our labor must be left to time to decide. I dont get any letters from you but take it for granted that you are in good health as I earnestly hope you may / be. I have had the trotters for a day or two but after I take some salts I will come all right again. tomorrow is Sunday and I expect we will have to work all day building stables. we have enough work on hand to keep us busy for the coming week. I was out with a squad of men this morning & cut eighty posts for the stables. there is no use in any man's saying a soldier will forget how to work. I have learned the carpenters trade, brick layer, washwoman /

 

3^d Page

cook, and soldiering complete. There has been but very little transpiring at the front for the past few days. I guess there will be some fun one of these frosty mornings.

 

            There is no sign of greenbacks coming our way yet. I dont know what will become of me this winter, with no boots. the last day of this month Uncle Sam will owe me $154, and a little credit on the clothing account, and if I had the money to send you, it would be a good time to send /

 

4^th

the things, for we lay close to the Point and I can go to the Express Office & get it. I only want a few things this winter. I dont want any shirts I can get along without them I have the two yet you sent me last winter. I dont want any socks & now I will detail I want (a pair of boots 8^s long legs as possible), (1 handkerchief), (a little thread), a pair of buck gloves. that is all in that line, next 1 vial of peppermint that is all & the sum total of all necessary articles. so you see it would take but a small box, and now by my naming these articles I dont /

 

5^th

want you should take it for granted that I must have them, not at all. I know just what you are, and that you would suffer yourself before you would see me want for anything, but now for your sake and for my own, do not think or do that way, for I am a soldier. I have endured hardship & privations and this is no privation if I do not get them. you have always humored me from a mere child but thank God I never took advantage of your kindness and I mean to repay you if I am /

 

6^th

spared, and now I had a little idea to suggest, it is this, that if you should happen to go to New York I think Aunt Clemmy or Uncle either one, would advance money enough to buy the articles, if you told them I would pay good interrest and that you & I was good for a little money in the bank, & $154 coming to us, ha ha. Now then should you chance to get the box you will direct in this way. Serg^t Albert C Harrison

City Point, Va.            

 

send by Adams Express                      

In care of         L^t H. D. Bookstaver.

 

Now I close may the Lord bless you,

Your loving Son       Albert

 

bear my regards to all friends

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