Camp in the field Saturday—                                                                                      Pleasant Valley Md. Oct 25^th

 

            My own dear wife

                                                I received a note in Ed’s letter a few nights since I was more glad than usual (if such a thing can be) to hear from you it had been so long since I had received a letter from you The last I received from you bears date of Oct. 12^th I have written you twice this is the third time since that date and still you complain of my not writing Well I have not written so often as I ought but about as often as I have had time to and J.B. Brown sais remarked last night on reading a brief letter from his Sweet Heart that he’s be damned if he wanted any one to write to him unless they had time He was a little riled The letter did not suit him Speaking to me he says you know what it is you have/had experience you know what it is Says he I would have bet any thing at one time that you and Mary Lewis would never get spliced Judging from her conversation Says I Courting is curious buisness and then I quietly went to sleep But to return to subject I will write to you just as often as I can at the same time I time want you to do just the same thing for it is the only real joy we know we (Poor Sojers) to receive letters from those we love at home But we ought to be excusable if we write one to two received considering the contrast in the condition & Situation of those at home & us I do not mean to do though I will eneavor to make time enough to write as many as I receive but it is almost impossible to write directly in answer as for instance this is my third since one from you to night I may receive/a half a dozen Ed Wheeler & John sometimes receive a dozen at one time Enough about that we can remedy everything by each writing very often If I had kept on in that strain I should have forgotten every thing I most wished to write about First Edwin is somewhat better He is quite comfortable now Does not think about home as much as when first taken sick I tell you one’s mind is every thing about getting well out here If one is home sick they will lie in the Hospital months and get no better because they sometimes get discharged & go home in that way. but Ed is not on that list But here follows something strictly confidential Keep it entirely to yourself for I would not have it get out from me for my life It is about Clint & Jesse Maine/Clint—I believe is playing off so as to get home if he can I have thought so all along I may be judging him wrong but time will tell J.B.B. arrived from his tour of Provost duty Thursday he went to see Clint while he was in Washington N.B. Private He is of the same opinion and Jess. He is realy sick although out of the Hospital I attribute his to hankering after his woman & home It is realy supprising about men that were tougher than the Devil when at home the poorest sticks we have out here Elias Bliven alias Judge Perkins he would get drunk and ly out doors all night when at home But,—here he is a nuisance in the Hospital and regular baby If Clint should get home which I dont much think he will for I do not think him smart enough to play it on to them for God’s sake for one dont thing him a Brig. Gen. on his short experience I do not think he deserves that promotion J.B.B. and I can speak myself I can speak for we are willing to stay as we enlisted to do if at times it is rough we can be as rough as any I have just shook hands with John on that/

 

We have received orders to march to morrow (Sunday) morning I should not wonder if something was up as they generaly do business out here on Sunday We (that is) the whole Grand Army of the Upper Potomac are going into Virginia but whether to fight or to go into winter quarters I do not know. The thing will develop itself soon It getting pretty cool out here We are without tents yet that is canvass ones but we have a comfortable shelter made of our rubber blankets stones & boughs/

 

I wish you could see us four when we are nested we resemble as much as any thing Soda Crackers when packed in a barrell when one wants to turn all have to turn together

 

But I must close for it about time for Dress Parade J.B.B. & myself are going out to night with everything all brushed up & White Gloves on We are determined to not get dirty like some The mail has just come and O—h how disappointed that I was at not receiving any thing But I love my darling wife just as well                               Court

 

P.S. Tell mother that her young warrior does not forget her she must take good care about that cold this winter have but few things to look after & let some one else do all out door work Buy some wood & have it cut up           C.G.S.

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