Camp Butler Sangamon

                                                                                                Co Ills Sept 12, 1862

 

Dear Wife

                        I am at camp Butler all right we received an order yesterday about eleven oclock and started at two in the afternoon we went too St Louis and took aboat from St Louis to Alton and got there about nine olcock last night we then took the cars for Springfield and got there about two oclock this morning and laid out on aporch of atavern and slept all night we had nothing to eat since yesterday at dinner until this morning except some cheese and crackers that / our mess bought We have had nothing to eat to day since breakfast and it is now about five oclock they are now preparing for supper Our company had arow this morning where we got breakfast with the proprietor of the house who was asecessionist. he was not willing to take the government as pay for our breakfast and as we started out of the house he caught the flag and said he was going to keep it until he got his pay. he was soon satisfied that he could not make that pay he then tried to keep lock our baggage but the men took it out in spite of him all of the men had not yet had their breakfasts and he said he would not get it Capt Harris went up to him / and shook his fist in his face and ordered breakfast for the men and made him go and assist to get it I received that blanket you sent me by Dr Wilkins I was on guard that night and did not get it until next day It comes in verry good place now. I may come home in afew days on furlough I dont know yet we have not yet drawn any money yet and it is verry uncertain when we will. There is between 10 and 15 thousand men in camp here now I tell you it is alively place. I would like verry well for you and Ma to come up if you can soon. Tell Tapley to come up here and see me and write to me. Write soon and tell me how Eddy and Ma are getting along I must stop as supper is about ready I will not write verry / long letters but often I wrote you one while at Bellville but have received no answer If you should get aletter for me from Caroline Gulick send it to me Tell Ewel to write to me give my love to all my friends and reserve alarge portion for your self and Eddy Camp Butler is about 6 miles from Springfield on averry pretty place the cars run past it three or four times aday Write soon direct your letter to H.B. Drake

 

                                                Camp Butler

                                                            Springfield

                                                                        Ills

                                                care Capt Harris

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