Camp of 33^d Mass Vols March 21^st 1864

                                                                                                                        

Dear Sister Lydia

                                    I received your letter of March 13^th 1864. Was very glad to hear from you and now will try to answer. We are having a very cold day Cannot keep warm with a big fire. I have no news of Special interest to write about to day Last week we had Inspections and reviews thick and fast, and if we have the luck we have had when we have had reviews we would be on the march in a day or two. We had a splendid Sunday service yesterday. I attended the service in the Regt and also one at Gen Howards about 5 PM. I am senior 2d Luit and expect to be Promoted to 1^st soon. I have got a fine set of men and they take great pride in obaying my orders. I am glad that Grandfather was pleased with his cane. I wish it had been something better. I would like to see him but do not expect to see him again, but hope to when the Regt comes home. I suppose that they thought you was a gost and no wonder. It is a disgrace to all concerned not to visit them any oftner. What must they think of their children any way. One of my men had the measles, but he has got well, and everything is all right with him. You was always crazy to be a boy and if you keep on you will succeed to. Why do you not shave. We want men in our Regt not boys. I received a letter from Mr Davidson and answered it. It was a bully letter too. Camp life is very quiet every thing quiet alone the Rail-Road. I think that Luit Gen Grant will cut out some work for us to do soon we may be back to the Army of the Patomac, and perhaps we may go to Mobile and perhaps we may stop here all summer. I received a letter from Elmer yesterday. they were all well especialy Miss Flora Morton Heith Grand-Ma Holmes last Grand Child. There is some talk of our coming home to recruit. I hope we can get the chance to do so. We want some 150 men to make up to the minnenmum number 831. I wish the company was full our aggregate is only 58 Officers and men. The band have got a new peace called “When my Johnney comes marching home”. Who so ever confesses him before men him will will I confess before our heavenly father Matt 10:32. In order to be acknowledged by God, we must confess before men and if you do confess before men, I will confess him before our heavenly father. This is not much to do perhaps we may live on earth 50 years. what should we gain if we should not confess the heavenly father. Why eternal death, but in order to be in that heavenly choir we must confess our sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and what is the reward? Eternal life. What is the few years that we spend on earth as compared to the thousands yea ten of thousands of years we shall spend in eternity. Also I say unto you Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the son of man confess before the angles of God Luke 12:8. That if thou shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart men believe unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made into salvation Dan 10:9 & 10. He that overcomith, the same shall be clothed in White raiment, and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my father, and before his angles Rev 3:5 Now we can see his gracious promises and Lydia let us do what he requires and then what delight It will be to pass into the other land. Last Sunday night The Adjutant of the regiment spoak said that he had been a Church member at home but he had not live up to his profession but he should do so now. Give my best respects to all the folks Lyman and the rest I shall bid you good night

                                                                                                            E L Bumpus

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