Indian Village Feb 22, 1863

 

Dear Mother & Father

                        A day or two ago we received a mail and I as one of the lucky ones that got a letter although it was short it was all I wanted to know. and that was that you were well and that your mind was easy about me. you did not say anything about Freman. I wonder if that foolish idea is still in his head about going in the 17^th, and about Johnnie, and Freddie, and Lizzie. I will give you a little history of this village (Indian Village) there are ony two or three little low shanties where the remnant of the tribe still lives there is an indian burying ground near our camp where there Chief is buried. his wife an old squaw still lives and five sons. when the rebels were here they wanted them to go with them but they were true to their country, and went into the swamp first. the first day we come here another fellow and me went as guard to see that no came and took her property by and by she came and not being able to speak English well and seeing all our troops she kind of made motions with her hand and said “them Yank-ee” we gave her to understand that they were, and that she and her property should be safe. there are some reports going around camp that we are to leave here to go we do not know also that we are soon to get some more pay as they owe us nearly four months wages we probably shall get but two mos I hope it will be the case that our Gen. B. is going to take command again. when you see anything about the old 8^th you need not fear for they are a terror all about these regions it is got a great name. I wish you could see the old tattered flag there is hardly anything but an old rag left. it looks as if it had passed through great hardships we have but three or four hundred men for duty in the regt. but all told there are seven hundred. we have plenty of stuff to eat but not hardly of the right sort to much pork and hard bread, we have soft bread and some fresh beef after the battle of Fredricksburg when the mail came here I was looking over the list of killed and wounded and I saw quite a number of names from So Newmarket. I hope they are doing well I do not think of much more to write so I want to give my love to all the family and Mrs Trefethen an Father and all

 

                                                            from your affect Son

                                                            Reuben Haworth

                                                            Co. B. 8^th N.H.V.

 

P. S.

            I think it is about time I should get an answer from the letter I sent Mrs Harris. I have sent one to Aunt Emerline and Uncle Joseph. I wish father would write and you in separate letters and then I shall be more pleased

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