Camp Parole Annapolis Md Oct 17 1862

 

Dear Father and Mother.

                        I received your eagerly looked for letter yesterday after. and the money (more than I dared expect) all safe $3.50. and I am very much obliged. I am sorry that you suffered so in mind while I was missing. I moaned myself some when I thought how bad you would feel until you heard from me. We had a long march from Sheppardstown to Staunton we were 11 days going and lived on 4 pints of flour and that we mixed up with water and no salt half-baked it a stone and I tell you it was good to. When we got to Staunton we were put in cattle cars and had a most uncomfortable ride for 135 miles When we reached Richmond marched to the Libby Prison on Carey street and / kept us a week and one day and half starved us. Monday we marched down to Aikens Landing and took the steamer for Annapolis. We got here after a nice ride of 2 days. There is about 2000 men here now. But the Pennsylvania troops who are paroled are going to the capital of their state. The married men are going to their families and the young men stay in camp. And Mass will follow suit. You tell father that if he should write to Adjutant Gen. Schouler that Ill bet he will get me a furlough for 20 or 30 days and if I once get home I can stay until I am exchanged, being paroled you know. I am very sorry about Henry and Fred. I saw them the day after the Battle of South Mountain and had a long talk then they were in that Battle. I guess by the time Geo W gets to Richmond he will think that it is the longest road he ever travelled. O well he is just the same as I was / all excitement but he will get cooled down by the time he has been in one or two Antietams "I reckon". I wrote to New York the day after I wrote to you. You might know that Uncle Len would get a good posish he aint fit for a Private. I dont see what made uncle Hide go he will get killed you may be sure he is awful unfortunate.

 

I am very glad that one of the Sandersons has come out. I think that they are a disgrace to West End. As smart a woman as Mrs Sanderson is I should think that she would urge some of them to enlist. You wonder I dont find fault Well dear Mother if it would do you any good or make either of us feel better I would complain without end. But since I came out here I have made up my mind to make the best of every thing. I have been down to the Express office and he says that if my box comes back to / Washington from the Regt that I can get it but if it dont, he dont know about it. I shant come home unless I come honorable if I dont come for 2 years. Now dear Mother you may think that I write short letters but their is but little news here so hoping that you will not be dissapointed in so short a letter I will close for the present So good bye

                                                           

From your affect. Son

George. H. Patch

 

PS

            I should like very well to get home for some little time I would jump for joy to get into my little room for to sleep over night.

G.H.P.

           

Private

PS (Tell Nellie that when I get home I will give her a birth day present)

G.H.P.

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