Stephens Station April 10^th 1865

 

Dear Parents and Brother

                                                You doubtless are expecting a letter from me. Well the truth is I have not had time to do so. When I left home I had an Idea that there was nothing to do in an army but write letters. But I was mistaken. There is much to do some of which I shall mention in my letter to you. First then I must write you a few of the many facts that have happened since I wrote my last letter to you. To commence then I am well and enjoying myself as well as could be expected. I should say I am having very good times down in old Virginia the only fault that I can find is that the Lord is quite forgotten/

 

Yes father the Lord is quite forgotten here. The boys curse drink steal and lie by the wholesale. Father I think that it has been good for me to enlist as I did. It causes me to learn a great eal more than I ever knew before. I learn a great eal about the country, a great eal about the people, and many other things On Tuesday april 4^th we received orders to march. I was out on picket at the time that we received orders to leave Charlestown So on tuesday morning I with the rest of us slung my knapsack haversack and canteen, Shouldered my gun for the march. we started about 9 Oclock. We did not know where we were to stop. We marched all that day untill 10 Oclock in the evening. I used to think that I had it/ Very hard sometimes at home But I never had as hard a day in my life as I had on that day. The officers and men said that they never saw as hard a march as we had that day. Our Lieut Colonel thought that it was wicked to march men the way we were marched I tell you what I felt more like laying down than like marching as I did. The next day We marched smilar to the first untill about 5 Oclock in the afternoon, when we stopped where we are now camped. I was very glad to stop as we did. A great many of our men fell out and were picked up by the guerillas. They took what they wanted of the men and then let them go. One/ of the men had two Rings on his fingers. they wanted to take them from him but he told them that his sister gave them to him to help him remember her by. So they left them on his fingers I must say that let them be ever so barberous that lookd well of them. They care but little for any one. I enjoy myself down here very well. We have fine times. I find no trouble with the hard tack. The hard tack is good enough for any body our food is such as will agree with any one many have not got half as good food as we have. I only wish that some had as good as we have. No soldier need complain of food it is good enough honest old abe keeps his boys good enough I must now leave you to sleep a little as the lights are ordered out. A.J.G./

 

            I am now ready to write again after having my nights rest which has been calm and refreshing. I went to bed with my clothes and hat on in my tent. We sleep in tents made of light canvas two pieces on the sides meeting at the top where they are buttoned together over a stick which reaches the length of the tent resting on two stakes drove in the ground We then take another piece and button it on the back then one on the front which composes our tent. We next put down or spread down one Rubber blanket on the ground then another then another then our Wollen blankets we spread over us which makes things comfortable enough/

 

I must now say that taking all things together a soldier has things easy enough for any one. Since I last wrote you some changes have taken place our armies have been victorious in many places which will help them very much in the peace line more than all parties have done before may we not say that God was in the fall of Petersburgh and Richmond and also the whole of Reb Lees army yes the Lord be praised for what he has done for us Glory will now with honor peace love and I hope all other virtues Rest upon our country us her people and our God. Really all christianity will prevail to a greater extent than ever before. And still more the people will know how to love serve and adore their/ country. They never knew what it was to have a country before. Now they do. But it seems as though I could write all the time but I must now say a few words to wesley and mother although they can claim part in all of my letter. You Mother I mean have always tenderly cared for me as for a tender plant I can now as before appreciate thy kindnesses to me and can say that if I had time I should like to write much to you. I must request you to have something put in for you I want to hear some of your sweet thoughts but do not think that I am unhappy for I am not so But as happy as a kid. I love thy kind words of advice they are/ as dew to the early plant. Farewell mother. Wesley to you I must now write a few lines you must write to me and heed your mothers instructions let them never depart from you farewell. Father I want you to write to me and wesley nor I must not forget the instruction they we have received from you. And now may the God of peace and love abide with you and prosper you now and evermore shall be my prayer. You must all write to me an Oblige your unworthy Son Andrew J. Griffin. Direct your letter to            Andrew J. Griffin

 

                                    Co B. 92 Regiment N.Y.S.V

                                                [overwritten] Charlestown

                                                            Virginia

 

P. S. write as soon as you get this and blig me Remember me to Geo Dorn tell him to write to me also Remember me to all enquiring friends Tell me in your letter how my instrument gets along whether it has been changed or not

                                                                                                A.J.G. Esqr

 

[top margin] P.S. I write this on my knapsack

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