Camp near Richmond June 22^nd 1862

 

Dear Sister i take the opportunity of writing these few lines to you hopeing to find yous all in good health as this leaves me in at present thank god for it

we are waiting every minute for a fight the Balloons is up regular every day viewing around and i expect we will soon be in Richmond if we dont get defeated i hope we wont the first day we came here the rebels was throwing shell into our camp but they could hardly throw far enough they kept firing for about five hours when they seen they were doing no good they gave it up for a bad job

 

there is a wonderfull lot of troops about here I wrote a letter to John on the 8^th of June and got / no answer yet he must be working very steady when he cant take time to write and if he cant write himself he should get somebody to write for him

 

every thing is very dear out here whiskey is three dollars a pint and then its like pison at that and there is not much of it to be had Butter is 50 cts a pound cheese is 50 cts a pound dried beef is 40 cts a pound and every thing dear acording Newspapers 15 cents a person can spend 20 dollars and he wont know where it went to these damn sutlers is makeing money like dirt Bedelia there is five dollars in this letter for your young son as a present and again next pay i can send John something if nothing happens me let me know did John get the key of the travling carpet bag /

 

Please to send me a Brooklyn newspaper i have not much more to write at present let me know how is Ferdinand getting along i conclude by sending my love to you and Ferdinand and the children

 

Direct to Michael Conklin Co. A

4^th Penn^a Cavalry in care of

Captain Tumbler

            M^cCalls Division

            near Richmond

 

No more at present but remain

your Affectionate Brother

Michael Conklin

           

Write soon /

 

Be Carefull

SOURCES