Camp Parole Annapolis

Sunday morning Oct. 26^th 1862

 

Dear Father and Mother.

It is a very disagreeble day misty and rainy and it will improve and pass part of it away to write you a few lines and let you know how the wourld uses your absent son. I received 2 harpers weeklys last night, with some excellent descriptions of the Battle of Antietam. There is some talk of takeing paroled prisoners to their different states after the drafted men leave. I have not much faith in 9 months men, for by the time they are drilled and fit for service it is time to discharge them and now they have got to lay still all this winter before they can do anything at all. I will tell you how I came / to be taken prisoner. When our front line gave away (we were the right of the second line) we faced to the right and went out into a plowed field where we formed a line in right angles to the place where we were before We lost a large number of men by rebel shot and shell and had to leave that position and fall back. I kept firing so I retreated until I came to a little house at the end of the field and there was about 20 wounded men there and one of them was sergeant Powers of Co C and he had a hole in his leg that you could put your hand in and he was bleeding very fast. There was nobody in the house. I smashed the window in with the butt of my musket, jumped in opened a bureau drawer and took out two towels got out of the window and tied up his leg / and had just got done when up came a rebel and said he you must come along with me and right behind him were about 50 of them I was taken to the rear and laid all day where I could see the Battle going on the Battle lasted until after dark and then all was still as the grave. Mr Rand must feel bad and so must the boys about Annie for she was a real good girl I think. What is Harty and Charlie doing now. I hope that they wont draft Doley unless that Mary gets well. If I was at home I would take his place and then he would not have to go and leave his place. There is no place here to get your picture taken and you cant get a pass now for the other day some of the men got drunk / and raised the old harry and now he wont give a pass. I see by the paper that we have lost our Division General. He has been appointed commander of the 11^th Army Corps and he will deserve it. There is some talk of paying us off the first of next month but it is hard telling anything here. But I dont think of any thing else to day I suppose that you will go to meeting but I shall not so good bye from your friend affectionate son George H Patch.

 

            PS        Give my love to Grandpa and

                        Grandma Brown and tell them

                        to be good children.

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