Camp of 33^d Mass Vols Jan 24^th 1864

 

Sister Lydia

                        I received your letter of Jan 11^th on the 20^th and hear goes for an answer. What has the band gone to Washington for to play in some Regt. or what. The weather is beautiful it seems a great deal like spring. Life is lonesome enough I can tell you, nothing to do is the cry from one end of the line to the other. Why working upon the road makes some changes Picket is another. Guard another and once in a while a game of checkers passes away the time. Our term of enlistment is almost half out the 5^th day of Feb makes 18 months and then we shall be at home that is if there is any of us to come home I would like for to see your mineture and one of the others. What do you think of thoes that I send to father the other day I guess you will think that I have grown fat all of a sudden well I weigh 1.46.1/2 lbs. you had ought to be out here to see our camp it is situated upon a slight hill that runs from Racoon Mountains. We are on the eastern side of the range. The hill flattens down to the road on the right of the camp on each side the hill slopes down to a little stream and on the left the hill gradually rises until it runs into the mountains at the base of the mountains the sides of the hill run into deep revans dark and gloomy. Our forges find coal enoug in the mountain to help their fires along. that is the blacksmiths We have had the usual sunday morning inspection to day. the men come out looking first rate the Companys are not large all there is in the Co is 15 men privates for duty although we number 34 enlisted men for duty. I wish they would fill up the Regt. to the full number so we could have the whole number of officers We have only 14 offices for duty in the Regimental line Some of them are resigning every day or week I have no news to write only that fellow has been discharged he has not been in the Regt. since the 9^th June 1863 I have had a letter from Aunt Sarah aunt Johan and Fanney aunt Fanney has got 14 in her family and seems to be very much afflicted with Rheumatism. Uncle George has had quite a fall was thrown from his carrige Thanksgiving day. he is getting better Elmer has had his discharge. I see in the paper that the 32d Regt has come home to enlist over again they do not call us vetrinans becaus we have not been in the service 2 years, but they cannot tell a brighter Story then the 33d Mass Vols. we do not claim to have fought on many fields, but still our record is unsulled by tarnish. We have made one Brigedier General. Col Underwood his wound is getting better and he is in good spirits Give my best respects to all who inquire

                                                                                                            E L Bumpus

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