Camp Metcalf Va

Feb. 19^th 1863.

 

Respected Parents,

                        I will take the opportunity of writing you a few lines as I have a few spare moments. The weather is now very bad we have had a considerable snow for the past week with one or two days rain which makes it bad under foot. we like this weather for one reason, it keeps Old Pit from drilling us, which is entirely needless. We have to stand guard every other day, 30 men from each Co every day. We have a new Colonel appointed but we have not seen him yet. We had just began to like Col Rogers as he received his appointment to the 2^nd Reg. He is a fighting man and our situation did not please him. he wished more active service. This new Col. is named Church from the 7^th Reg I do not recollect of ever seeing him. I hope he will suit the men as well as Rogers did. The health of the / Regiment is quite good considering the situation of the camp and the state of the weather. Yesterday 14 were discharged from the Hospital on disability having been off duty since we left Providence.

 

By the way I hear by Albert Hawkins who is a member of Co E that Charles Hawkins, Maria's husband is in the Convalescent Camp. I have not yet been to see him but shall as soon as I can he is Ward Master of the R.I. boys from the 2^nd there are 16 of the 2^nd Reg. over there, and I hear that 14 of them are to return to their Reg soon. I have had no news from Lewis yet, have written him twice cant see the reason why I do not hear from him. Have wrote to Prele 3 times have received one only. Is he in Boston now? How is business with you now? and are you all well. I have some rings commenced but have little time to work. have to catch a few moments now and then. Did you see Burnside while he was in Providence / What do you think of his resignation and of Hooker in command. I think by the movements around here that nothing will be done again until April or May. The Army is being divided into Corps which can be handled to a better advantage. Our prospect in guard duty here as long as April certain. we then may be moved to more active service, possibly we may remain here the rest of our term. I have been to Washington but once, then to buy lumber for a cook house. Some time since a Mr. Newman from Pawtucket was visiting the Mass. Regiments and taking the genealogy of them at the same time he took ours. it is a good thing. Its object is to prove in future, if any pensions or bounties are given by the government, that such ones served in the Army in the suppression of the Rebellion. Also the genealogy is far back as the person knows. I gave mine as far as I could. After completing his book he made a table a copy of which I / send you. The first column gives the number of men with their trades &c. With the Col & Staff. The other columns are of the companies, commencing with A and ending with K. The total of each trade and occupation at the end of the line on the right. At the bottom of the columns is the number of men in each Co. and the Reg. You will see by referring to the table that Co D have more married men than any other Co in the Reg and only one Co leads them in the number of children and that is Co G and that is accounted for by the number of foreigners in Co G which exceeds ours in foreign born. Next week there will be a roll completed of the Co and done in a very neat form, one of which I will send you.

 

            My health is very good and that of the Co. there have been promotions of two Orderlies in the Reg. the reason I think I was not promoted is on account of Old Blink who remembered me in the first Reg. I am contented where I am we have a good Co. and they all like me.

 

Give my love to all would like to hear from them often. Love to Mother Susie Walter and to yourself the love and best wishes of

                                               

Your affectionate son

Albert.

SOURCES