Camp in the field

                                                                                                            Dec 15. 1864

 

Dear Father

                        I left M. Dougall Hospt on Friday Nov 2^nd and arrived at Bedlows Island or Camp Starvation in the evening. Left Bedlows for NY City Monday Dec 5^th. Left NY on board the transport Empire City Dec. 6^th. We had 1713 men on board, about one hundred of them bounty jumpers. one of them had jumped thirteen bountys. he will be shot. Wednesday Dec 7^th. Some of the bounty jumpers tried to blow up the transport, was found out by one of them telling on the rest. Thursday Dec 8. Met the 18. Corps bound North. landed at City Point in the evening. Friday Dec 9^th & 10. At Camp Distrabution or Camp Misery City Point. Sat Dec  11^th snowing all day. /

 

Monday Dec 12^th left City Point. joined the regiment in the evening. Tuesday Dec 13^th. our Corps was relieved by Sixth Corps. the 2^nd Corps is now encamped on the extreme left of our line. we can heere the cars at all hours a running on the south Side R. Road.

 

Wednesday Dec 14^th. To day we are building temporary Winter quarters. it is very cold here, wagons can travil without breaking in. A man named Michael Wert belonging to my Company will be shot in a short time. he was out on Vidette and tried to desert instead of getting in the reble lines. he lost himself and got in our own lines and gave information. if he would of reached the enemys lines and gave the same information the rebles could of captured our whole line for a distance of six miles/ the 2^nd and 5^th Corps had all left on a rade every man but those on picket and vidette.

 

I dont think we will go in Winter Quarters this Winter.

 

Camp Jenkins was killed instantly and never knew what hit him. Dont forget to send the Hanover Spectator and write as soone as you receive this. I will give you the particulars of what is going on here in my next. it is too cold to write. by next week I will write. we will have our quarters up by that time if we dont move. I have it better now than I had before I was wounded. Johnson is our Capt. now. he and Lt. Bell would do anything for me. When you send a newspaper I wish you would send me a pair of iron heels for my boots, the heels are wearing off on one side. send a/ few extra screws 1/2 in or 5/8 long. enclosed you will find the size. I can get a furlough this Winter if I want one for 15 days, but dont think it would pay for that length of time. besides one is better satisfied by staying with the regiment all the time. We will all be at home in one Year from now.

 

Nails sell at 40 cts per lb here. I am well. Give my love to all and write soone. If you have it yet I wish you would send me the Spectator that has Capt Jenkins death in. He was sent home by the privates not the officers. some of the privates gave ten dollars. Write soone

 

                                                                                    Your Son

                                                                        Henry C Metzger

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