1861

                                                                                                            Camp Curtin Sept 24

 

Miss Lou. Craig

 

                        My Friend.

                                                Having a little leisure time, I will employ it in writing to you, though I can scarcely call it writing, rather term it scribling.

 

I am seated in our tent, which is a small affair, about six ft sq. made of canvass. have got a table in, which nearly fills it up. The sun is beating down on it and the cloth affords but poor protection against the scorching rays. Looking out of the door of the tent I see the men engaged in various duties which it would/ take too long for me to describe, but you can imagine. Across the way I see Joe Coulter, writing a letter, & just now he pokes his head out and asks me to remember him, so ‘tis done.

 

Last night we were very agreeably surprised to meet Cy. Stouffer & Dave Wallace. I was indeed glad to see Cy. coming, as I think it was just the right thing for him to do & his patriotism is much to be admired.

 

I like Camp life right well—indeed much better than expected. do not rue that I have come.—if I was at home would do the same thing again. Have only been in camp three nights since I come, then we slept on the soft side of a board. we expect to have the boards bruised completely in the course of/ a week, so that they will feel soft as downy feathers.

 

On Sat. I went out to Lebanon Valley to visit the Elders & Rutherfords. Spent a very pleasant time saw lots of Ladies, and in fact have only one objection to make to the Valley (for it is the prettiest place I ever saw), that is, they have not sent their young men out to war. not one of them. For this, even now the finger of scorn is being pointed at them.

 

Our Company has the reputation of being the quietest one passed over the railroad, and to all appearance the nicest one in Camp. We have to do our own cooking yet, but will get a cook as soon as possible. We have enough to eat, if it was only served up right—have no butter, but plenty of grease—as the bacon we get is/ very very fat. In fact all our rations are of the best quality.

 

Have not got our uniforms or blankets yet, nor will we for a week or two. We have only sixty men in camp yet—need forty more, & it will be nice if those to come are as respectable as those we have.

 

Our Lieutenants are Doc. Weaver & Geo. Anderson. Charlie Smith is Orderly Sergeant. No other appointments are made known.

 

It is thought that we will go into Col Meredith’s reg. I do not know anything about him, hope he is a good man. It is probable we will remain here for some time, so if any of you wish to come & see us you can have a chance. Give my respects to all of your folks. And also to the girls across the river. It is about dinner time and I must pitch in. I wish you were here to see us eat. You would laugh. hoping to hear from you soon I remain

 

                                                                                    Yours truly

                                                                                                Wils Barnett

 

[front margin] Since we came—

four reg. about 1000

men each have left

this camp and gone

to Washington.—

5 or 6000 remain

in camp & will be

forwarded as soon

as possible—

Direct to Harrisburgh

            Camp Curtin

                        Care Capt. W. B.

                        Coulter

SOURCES