On Maryland Hights, (Blue Ridge)

                                                                                    Wednesday, August, 14^th. 1861.

 

Cousin William

                        As I promised you I would write to you I feel it my duty to do so, but I have had so much writing and other work to preform that I have been unable to do so ere this, and as you have heard from me, and knew what we were about, by the letters you saw I dont think you will feel much disappointed.

 

We are still encamped, (or rather bivouaced as we have no tents) in the Mountains opposite Harpers Ferry. The weather for the past few days has been very changeable. one day it would be hot enough to melt you. another, a slimy, dark, rainy day. another foggy,/and to day I cant keep warm with two Coats on. this is the weather that use any one up, real feaver and ague weather, but all the Topsfield boys are well and staid it first rate, but we all wish ourselves at home, enjoying our comfortable homes than out here laying in the rain and freezing to death, but I dont expect we shall see home for some time yet. if we ever do. I have had some hopes of going home soon, but my hopes are all gone, and I now that we will have to stay during the war. I hope it will be a short one. and the sooner we fight the better, if we have got to.

 

Last night I went on Pickett. but did not see any thing to shoot at. we were visited by a beautiful metor I never saw so splendid a one in my life, I dare say/it was seen north as at a grat distance.

 

Yesterday our Pickets & the Rebbls commenced fireing upon each other two miles below Knoxville, and 6-1/2 from here, I suppose the Rebel Army is advancing upon us, but rest assured they will not get the reception they got at Bulls Run, we are all ready for them, and a victory is certain if they come. I feel perfectly safe, and think we wont have to fight much to obtain that victory.

 

The Webster Boys are geting sick of war and want to go home.I dont know what they would say if they had been through what we have, they live twice as well as we do, what would you think to see me sit down to a piece of bread as big your/hand and three sponefulls of boiled rice without anything upon it, and eat it as though it was plum pudding. The men grab at it with the fury of tigers. and I never hardly ever have had more then one half of what I could eat at a time. Erwin & I got a citizen to bake us a corn cake, or Johny cake and we ate it with the relish that we would weding cake at home, it tasted the best of anything I have eaten since I have been out here. Dont you ever go to war if you can keep out of it. better let the North become Slave Teritory, and leave the Country. I am enjoying good health pretty severe sickness since I have been out here, & I understand sickness prevails in Topsfield but I trust you are well, and driving business. I tell you business is dull enough this way but in good times, this is/the place to make money.

 

To the Deacons are dead, at least I think they must be for I have seen in 8 letters that they were. I wonder if they have burried them yet?

 

Erwin says John Wright no business to die till they paid him that $10.00. I think as much, for I really think it meen that they dont pay us, for we actually need it. I hope it will be forwarded to us soon, if they dont, they will get one blowing. I suppose that Topsfield is about the same as ever, increaceing in population I understand, but business must be very dull, Charly Clark says he wants to go home and get some berries, but I guess he wont see any this year. He is writing to his mother to day, and is going to let me/take it to the office for him. He says his mother did not get his last one, and I am going to see that this one goes.

Johny Guild was sick when I last saw the Webster boys with Disentery I intend to see them again in a few days. How does Warren get along with that Firet[?] duck? Does he [?] right up now I suppose he will be married before long, or before I get back from war.

 

Well William, I dont fell much like writing any more this time so I must close, trusting you are all well. I remain your

                                                Cousin

                                                            C. H. Lake

Write soon & send me Weekly Traveler and oblige

 

All the fighting we have done is over our grub

 

[envelope: Sandy Hook Md/Aug 15/William A. Small Esq./Topsfield/Essex County/Mass./1861]

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