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

Baileys Cross Roads near Washington D.C.

June 7^th 1865.

 

Dear Cousin Clemmy

                                    I am at leisure this evening and I cannot better devote a few moments than by penning you a few lines, and this may be the last letter I may ever write as a Soldier for I expect before many days have passed away I will lay aside my suit of blue and become a peaceable citizen of the U. States. I had some time since a strong notion of remaining in the Service, but Mother is not willing that I should remain and I must obey her this time for I believe I have done my duty and should rest from my labors. Well, we had a very tedious march from Richmond, leaving there on the 24^th of last month & upon the third days march we were caught in a severe storm and the consequences were we was stuck in the mud and were obliged to lay aside for two days during which time the storm abated and the roads became passable for our trains and we moved onward to Fredericksburg. But the weather became very warm and many poor Boys dropped by the road side from sun stroke. very few recovered.

 

            We arrived here on the 2^nd day of June and we have / preparing to be reviewed tomorrow in the city prior to being mustered out. But I will not take part in the performance as I have enough writing to keep me busy a week. I am at work on our muster out rolls at present. The sooner we get them done, the sooner we will get home. We could go day after tomorrow if we had our papers finished, for there is plenty of transportation now. The more I think of coming home the more anxious I am to get there. I really have not been so homesick since I have been in Service.

 

            Still we have a very pleasant camp, good water and plenty to eat. But it isn't home yet. If it is as warm north as it is here I guess you must be getting some boarders. I had a letter from home since I came here. Mother was quite well and John expected to go to work in a few days. I fear he will never be strong enough to stand any amount of exposure or hard labor. It is a splendid evening I should love to be at the shore tonight. I think I could fully realize God's mercies to us poor weak creatures who are not worthy the least of them.

 

            But I will now lay aside my letter and try to finish tomorrow before the mail goes out.

 

            One day has passed away and here my letter remains yet unfinished but I will now write a few more lines / before I retire. I have been busily engaged writing all of the past day, during which time our Corps was being reviewed in the city and they had a hot day for it. But thank the Lord it is over, but not without the loss of a few lives from sun stroke. But they cannot have the opportunity much longer of marching us to death. I was very glad that I was considered out of the performance, for I came near biting the dust last night soon after I stopped writing. I looked out of my tent and saw the night so beautiful I thought I must take a stroll down the Washington Pike, so I asked the 1^st Sergeant if he would accompany me. he assented and off we started down the road linked arms, but we had not gone over 100 yards from camp before that old familiar sound which accompanies a bullet brought us to a stand still. the ball passed through the rim of my hat upon the left side of my head. I took off my hat & gazed at the rent the ball made and my comrade asked me if I was hit for I never said a word but kept my eye on my hat & thinking it was a pretty good shot & while we were thus standing along came another token of respect passing to the left of us both. I then decamped closely followed by my conrade. I made up my mind if there was a shooting to be done I must have a hand in, but I was foiled for all our ammunition was taken / from us yesterday. But I did react to send a ball back in the direction they came from. some one in the Fifth Corps fired the shots at a crowd of our Boys who it happened were about thirty yards from us sitting by the road side and throwing out insinuations at each other about fighting &c. I tell you Clemmy there is a hard set of men in this Army. I give them credit for coming so close to me without hitting, but it wouldn't have set very well on my stomach if I had been shot after the war was ended. had I been in Battle I should not have given it more than a passing thought, but truly God is good in sparing my life and to Him only am I indebted for the preservation of my life.

 

            I have thought over the matter seriously several times today and first came to the conclusion finally that I wasn't born to be shot, if I was I wouldn't be hung or drowned.

 

            Before next week this time I think we will be in Trenton. I will have our Company accounts all in order by Saturday night if I am spared. I hope this may find you all in good health as it leaves to you Coz. I wish I had time to write more but I must retire to bed on mother earth for a few more nights. My love to all & hoping soon to see you, I remain with many kind wishes

                                                           

Your loving Coz

Al

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