Newburg Feb 3^rd /62

 

My Dear Johny

                        As I promised in my last letter to Ma I now write you from this Camp Calvey Morris. We are under marching orders so that it is not likely you will any of you hear from me again from this point. I have not as yet received positive orders to march but only to have the men cook three days rations for their haversacks, and be ready to march at a moments warning. We are to go forward I think to a place called New Creek where there are already a large number of our troops. Of this however I can only guess, as no place has been named as a stopping point for the regiment. 

 

The men have been in great spirits all day since the receipt of our orders to march, as they want to leave our present camping ground. Major Reily is lying down on the cot and exclaims "Oh I shall be glad to leave this liquid place. Just listen to the big drops of rain coming down." The rain has been pouring down all day and we are all rejoiced at the prospect of moving so soon. Our camp my dear little son is a very different one from Camp John M^cLean. We are here confined to a very small field and entirely surrounded by very high hills. There is very scant room for our tents & really no place for drilling at less than half a mile's distance. The place is very muddy on account of the great abundance of rain which / has fallen in the few last days. We have a creek with a very swift current running on two sides of our camp, from which the men get all the water they need for cooking & drinking. Since our arrival here we have been living very well. George has proved to be a very good cook, and we do very well. Day before yesterday I bought two dozen chickens for twelve cents apiece, so that they are cheaper than at home. As we probably march tomorrow, we have had to kill them all tonight in order to take them along. The drum is just beating for nine oclock and I must soon go to bed as tomorrow will be a busy day for us all. Since we arrived here I have seen no enemies, and heard of none atall near, so that there has been nothing for me to do. 

 

And now Johny what have you been doing since I left: I hope you have been a very good boy, & not given Ma any trouble. When I am away, you know I expect you to stay with Ma and do a great many little things for her which will make her comfortable and happy. How is Evy & Tottie & Benny & Aunt Jane? When you answer my letter you must tell me all that you do to amuse yourself & to help Ma.

 

I shall keep my letter open until the morning, so as to place tell you where to direct my next letter. I have received only two letters from home, & am now feeling anxious for another. Good bye my dear boy. Kiss all of them for me, with love & blessings upon all.

                                                                                               

Your affectionate

father   N. C. M^cLean

 

Feb 4^th. We have not yet received our orders so I will mail this letter & write again when the order comes.

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