Camp of 33^d Mass Vols March 3d 1864

 

Dear Sister Lydia

                        I have not got so big a sheet of paper as you had but I will take my bigest sheet and answer your good long letter of Feb 24^th. I have received another letter from Johney and have answered it. I guess there is no danger of any one stealing that portion of my ugly body you speak of. I cannot see the use of such little boys enlisting they have not got their groath are not strong and the first march will use them up, and then they go to fill up the hospitals. I hope I am none the less patriotic because I speak in this manner. I do not blame the boys and I can appreciate the motives that send them into the army, but what we want is men strong and able. the boys are willing God bless them but they never should have been permitted to thus commit suicide. Oh the base cowards that will stay at home and alow these poor boys to be food, not for powder but the sickness and death in the hospital. Men should be ashamed to alow themselves to be bought off with these substistuts. It is not the cannon ball alone that kills, the long weary marches in a warm climate with dewy nights which are like rain. The dust during the day penertrates the lungs and fills the throat with its firey iraitation I will not say any more on this subject because you will say that I am not loyal to our country. Actions speak louder then words sometimes, but I must say that thoes boys had out to have a dose of Dr. Bisch adminestered in doses of fifteen minutes length at short intervals of rest the cure is sure. It never was known to hurt but one man and he took the application to low down. Talk about warm weather you do not know what it is, just come out here and stop about one week and then talk. The birds are singing to God in their most mellow notes, the sun is pouring down upon my shelter and every thing looks so cheerfull—If it were not for the bugle and drum I would not think that war was within 30,000 miles of us. Every little while the bugle sends out one of its most discordant noises and they seem to say “dirty dirty dough boy” and that is the buglers call then they play double quick “Rations Rations for you young man” & through the day. Well your hair may scratch but out here when we see a man scratching his back we have good reasons to say that his clothing has got strange animals in the cloth and they are not bugs.

 

            The reason Lydia that I never have spoaking of religion I have not been sure of the ground upon which I stand, but have tried and have got good reasons to believe that God can pardon my sins and that he has. But a Christerns life is a continual warfare and the evil one takes all manner of devices to struggle with every Christern and keeps up his warfare until the gates of the Holy City are closed upon him. I ought to be a Christern but God only knows whether I am or not. I have been vile and evle speaking. I have set a bad example but God in his infinite mercy could pardon the thief on the cross. And if I only hope my sins may be pardoned all though red with blood. Lydia you say that you are as happy as some Christerns. Do not decieve yourself by saying this. Suppose there is Hypocrits and thoes that would steal into the city of rest. does that make the cause any poorer? is not the cause the same. It is not so much to be happy hear that a good Christern loves God but for the long happy period of eternity when we can set with the Lamb of God and sing hymns of praise forever and ever. Now is the accepted time whilst the Saviour stands knocking at the door. do not put it of for a mor convenient season. For perhaps when you are ready the Lovely monitor may have taken his departure and then what hope have you? Perhaps you remember the parable of the rich man who had filled his barn with wheat and corn, who said in his heart, I am rich see my broad fields I will build Large barns and biger houses (or in words to that effect) and then the answer! Thou fool this night thy soul shall be required of thee. I want you to think of these things and remember that our time is short, that today may be, and tomorrow naught. You and I have seen thoes that were in the full tide of health in the morning, at night have been nothing but lumps of clay. I want you to think of these things now do not follow my example for you know that I have been allways selfish, and have only thought of thoes things that would promote my own comfort. All my friends in Braintree seem to have deserted me I never hear from them only what the folks write that I do not know what is passing in Braintree. Give my best respects to all of my friends and may God in his mercy spare you and may you see his grace. God bless you and protect you is the prayer of

 

                                                                                                            E L Bumpus

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