May 27

Camp Scott     Freeport

 

Dear Brother & Sister

Your kind and very welcome letter came to hand in due time and I would have answered it sooner but I have had so many letters to write I could not get to yours sooner. I do not feel much like writing to day as I was on guard last night so that I feel a little under the weather. My health has been very good since I left Carroll with the exception of a very sore side I took cold the first night I was in camp and it settled in my side and it has been sore ever since but I hope it will get better soon. we have had very disagreeable weather nearly all the / time we have been here raining and storming nearly every day those refreshing breezes that we hear so much about interfere somewhat with our cooking. We had quite a pleasant time last Saturday the Ladies of Freeport and vicinity gave us a Pic-Nic there was at the lowest figure two thousand people present besides the soldiers. I never seen a table loaded with so many delicacies in my life and I assure you we done them ample justice but our day of pleasure was followed by one of sadness during a very heavy thunder storm Saturday night there was one of our number struck by lightning and instantly killed he was laying by his musket sleeping his head close by the butt of the gun the fluid run down the barrell searing the wood all to pieces / the persons sleeping in the same tent did not know he was killed till morning. On last Friday there was one of the Polo company drowned the body was not found till yesterday the funeral of both took place yesterday at six Oclock I never seen a larger funeral it appeared as tho every one of the Regiment realized the seriousness of the occasion.

 

You asked me to tell you the name of our Company and Regiment the Regiment is called the first Congressional District of Ills. the Company that I belong too is called the Carroll County Riflemen. Our Colonel calls it the banner Company of the Regiment. I tell you we are a fine looking set of fellows and if we ever have the good luck of meeting Jeff Davis and his horde of traitirs we will make our / mark. we was sworn into the service last Friday for three years if the war continues that long but I do not have an idea it will for we can starve them out in a shorter time than that. I can not tell when we will leave here not for several days I think I want to go home this week if I can get off. Now Dear Brother & Sister I must close write soon dont forget to direct my letters in care of Capt Nase

                                                                                   

Good Bye

As Ever Your Affect

Brother George

 

Answered June 3/61

SOURCES