Camp 20^th Conn. Vols.

Kellys Ford Va.

August 20^th

           

Dear Parients

                                    I write to inform you that my "Hat" arrived safe in camp by mail last night. We yet remain here though I expected when I wrote Sunday that we should have left before this. Your letter of the 14^th inst I recieved the other night with the needles and thread just what I wanted. now I want a needle book. Send me any thing that I can keep the thread &c in. I hear Capt has been in Portland did you see him I recieved a letter from / Dora the other night saying Uncle had arrived safe in Boston. Glad of that. Guess I will go with him if I get back all-right. I wish I had been at at home to help when you had company. I guess there is more young men ready to help the Christian Commission in Philadelphia than there are who will come and help fill up the ranks, for they are terribly thinned. Our Regt. came out with over 900 men and we can muster but 300 now and many Regiments are smaller than ours.

 

            The Christian Commission is a good institution and I guess there is but little danger / but what I will be well kept up for the are not on the battle field untill after the fight is over. It has been terrible hot here for a few weeks past warmer I guess than in old Portland for I never saw such hot weather before. Capt is expected back in a day or two and I hope John will come before long. Where is Joe Russell now is he with Capt White. How is Den Goodrich does he go hunting any now. The game will not get killed off so fast if he stays at home. I would like to come home for a few weeks this fall when the / apples and other fruit is plenty. But I suppose we shall be buisy marching about in old "Virginia" somewhere I hope however the war will before another fall. I dont want another summer campaign it is too hard work.

 

Father must be through haying by this time and at work in his tobacco. I did send my regards to Jennie Eddy but not in the way she recieved them I have not yet recieved a letter in answer to the one I sent and if I dont it will not trouble me so but what I can sleep nights.

 

            But the mail closes soon and so must I. Send me some stamps for I am out. Your aff son Henry

 

[margins]

 

Send me a silk pocket handkerchief when you get a chance. There is another man to be shot for desertion tomorrow. He belongs in the 3^d Maryland Volunteers

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