Camp 4^th Maine Vols

            Near South Side RR Va

                        Oct 12/64

 

Ever Dear Mother

I seat myself for the Perpous of pening you a few lines to let you know I am well and C—

 

you See I presume by the opening of this letter that I have returned to the regt you will be somewhat surprised I suppose and Prehaps think me Fickle Minded but you will do me injustice if you do, for I did not like the idea of going back but done so partly for Comdation and partly because I thought it my duty as there was no noncommisioned officers in the Co and they being nearly all disabled the Maj Comdg the regt wanted I shold return also Capt Clark and the Lieut thinking it my duty I complyed with their wish Sergt Overbeck (1^st sergt) fell and hurt him self (his old wound) very severe in the recent battle he is at City Point Hospital when he returns he will be musterd as 1^st Lieut Co. “D.” and they intend to give me another lift by appointing me 1^st sergt of Co. “E.” there will be some Sergts  Promoted 2^nd Lt’s this fall in this regt I am unable to say wather I shall get any thing or not but if I do my duty well Probable I shall stand a chance with the rest (as I have some friends in the regt.)

 

I have to no particular news to write, but every thing seems to be going in our favor Old Grant is a little to much for them

 

tell Mell to write a good long letter all about the crops a &.c. Captain Sidlinger has gon home on a furlough proberly you may see him if you do please let me know in your next Mell did not Eaver tell me that Sergt Overbeck was up to see you while he was at home I never see you dont write me anything hardly Oh by the way Mother havent you a minature of me that you cold spear I have a friend that wants one and I cannot get one taken here now as there is no caloons with the army and if you will can Spear none I am going to have some Photographes taken when we get into winter quarters and I will send you one of them if you can please send it in your next whitch I hope will not be long after receiving this. Three cheers for Old Abe he is to be our President for the 4 next years. Rebelion must come down did not think McClellan was such a man stuck up for hom untill the last minute always want a caus before condemning a man and I think he gives sufficent caus I must now close I Remain Respectfully

                                                                                    Your Son Al—

 

[margin verso] I send you a sergts warrent Please keep it for me I shall want it to show to my children and Gran children some future day (ha, ha.) I shall have an other too Prehaps you wold like to know who my regular corespondant is I will tell you if you will not tell any one it is Miss Annie Morton I suppose you have no objection to having her as a Dauter in law some day

 

[margin recto] If I remember right you liked Ann when she was teaching our school do not infer from this that there has aneything cerious hapened or likely to I olny spoke of it in case there shold to see how you wold like it or if you wold approve of it dont let aneyone read this [?]

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