Annapolis. Sep^t 28^th

 

My Dear Mother:

                                    I must begin this letter by asking you to forgive me for not sooner writing. [?] there is nothing I detest more than making excuses and therefor I will only say it was unavoidable this time. This Reg^t has been kept very busy during the last two weeks The men have been on duty every other day. I have had charge of some prisoners and have been kept pretty close to duty. I have 6 men under my command and nothing to do but give them my orders yet it keeps me busy./ some of them are very troublesome and I have been compelled to Hand cuff some and put Balls and Chains on others I do not like the job and as soon as our new Cap^t comes back I shall give it up. I believe I have not written to you since the new arrangements have been made in the Company. Cyrus Shutz of Pottsville is to be our Cap^t he is to bring a HQ mess to fitt up this Company He was in here on last Saturday one week ago to see the Colonel He was talking to me and said as there was no likely chance for me to get promoted (the Offices being all filled) he thought I had better act as his Clerk he said he had picked on me before leaving home He says he will do what is right with me and if a vacancy occurs he will give it to me if I want it I have made up my mind it accept of his offer as I hav been doing all the Company Clerking since I/ came here and my other duty beside Now if I go with him I will be free of all duty and have nothing to do but his writing. I will not be exposed to the weather this coming winter and I will share his board in fact I will live high and not have too much to do. Here to fore I opposed leaving the ranks (even when the Colonel called me) but now I think while we remain in the peaceful locality I may as well take it easy if I can. The Col is talking of putting up winter Barracks which looks as though we would remain here this winter I will let you know much more in my next letter. War news is not of much account here during the last few days but look out I tell you Little Mac is after them sharp When the news came here that the G[?] was trying to have M^cClellan superceded by Fremont the men gathered in Squads and declared if it was done they would throw down/ their arms and refuse to serve under any Gen like Fremont. I am not ashamed to add that my Musket (which I think as much of as a wife) would have went with the rest Nothing was done however before the news came that it was all false then the cheers that rent the air were deafening. I tell you that the hearts of the soldiers acknowledge M^cClellan as their man their leader and no other can supercede then at least. Now I find but a small space left in which to finish this letter and I must draw to a close I am as ever in good health and spirits as I find all the folks are at home. The weather here is now delightfull We know nothing of war here all is quiet exept the continual changing of the Paroled Prisoners and an occasional look through the Hospitals at the arrival of some wounded I mean there is no packing up of waggon no marching no names unanswered at Roll Call &c &c Give my love to all and regard to any enquiring friends. Please write soon My Pine Cottage friend writes more letters and sends me more paper than any friend I own But she always writes one of my dear friends

 

                                                                        Your affectionate

                                                                                    Son Sammie

                                                                                                love to the children

SOURCES