Beaufort S. C.

                                                                                                            Sept 26^th 1862

 

My dear Sister Sue.

                                    Your very kind letter dated Sept 7^th 1862 is rec’d. Dear Sue. I acknolledge that the tone of my letter was somewhat blue But you will take into consideration the trials of camp life and you will then readily see that I have my blue fits and causes to warrant them. But I will “dry up” upon the Subject.

 

                        We are now in a new camp near the river where we have a beautiful Parrade ground in front and a nice grove in our rear. So that we can retreat from the boiling hot sun that pours down these September days.

 

                        Yesterday I returned from Picket on “Shell Road” where we had a splendid time I collected articles for a Milk Stew dried Salt Pork, Eggs, and fresh fish. Sweet potatoes and so fourth

 

                        It reminded me of the time we had it by Massabisic Pond last year when I stooped to my working [?] and served the Fish for the party. It was a bully time. Once in a while a Soldier has a good time. We see the bitter with the sweet in all the turning of the wheel of time. The news that we/ get from the seat of war rather cheers. our Boys begin to hope that the war is about to close. Then is one thing certain. if our Army does not whip out Seceshin before spring our last side will be so disgusted that it will be very hard to keep the Army together in a unanimous feeling. Each soldier is a true man and Patriot but we must be convinced that there are honest men at our head or all is lost.

 

                        Only think if the treachery of Gen Miles of Harpers Ferry? The villain confessed that his sympathies were with the South and that he had taken care of the trusts of his government!!! Such rascality deserves to be rooted out of the face of the earth. Perhaps all or a great many men now hold up places in our army as traitors! only waiting to see how much they can do under cover of the guise of Patriotism but law always counts a man inocent until he proven guilty. You are aware of our change in Military comander here. Gen Mitchell is a brave looking old Soldier and I hope he will do the right thing.

 

                        For things are geting better now our regt is altogether now and we are well pleased at the idea./ New recruits are arriving every Steamer from New York. I am not expecting any promotion now altho’ there th is a vacancy in the Regt. in Co “K”. I am told that there is talk of detaching me on Signal Corps duty. I do not care much where they order me to go. One place is just as good as the other. As far as danger is concerned one is full as dangerous as the other.

 

                        I am completely disgusted and am ready for most anything. Hope to hear by next mail that the Rebel army in Virginia are taken prisoners. There has been some awful fighting down in Virginia and our Boys have done nobly. Old Granite State has nobly vindicated her principles and fidelity to the Union.

 

                        I am surprised when I see how certain men have changed in their views. Jo B. Clark and several of that ilk have gone into the Service. Alph Simons and a score of my old friends have taken up arms. Now if our [?] Abe Lincoln will just dislodge all traitors from the cabinet and field he will save our land without much more loss of life. There is strong feeling in this department against McDonell. We think him a fool or traitor and it’s a/ fact that he is either one or the other. Poor [?] Mansfield I am sorry we lost him. He was a noble man and true Patriot But we have seen our last defeat. We are bringing the right kind of stuff into the service from New H. and they will give good report.

 

                        Give my love to Andrew & the Babies. I am glad you have such a fine opinion of Etta. She is a triumph and knows well the human heart I feel very fortunate in possessing her as wife and companion.

 

                        You must excuse me Sue from writing you a long letter this time as I have 8 more to answer.

 

                        Remember me to my friends and tell them that Mart is all [?]. He expects to get a [?] Brindle’s cornish for next summer which will quit him muchly.

                        very affectionately yours

 

                                    M.V.B. Richardson

                                    1^st Lt Co “C” 4^th N.H. Vols

 

Mrs Sue N. Baker

            Manchester

                        N.H.

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