Thursday morning April 10. 1862. Snow in Camp this morning one foot deep, so we will have nothing to do to-day but shovel snow—

 

                                                                                                            Camp M^cReynolds

                                                                                                                        April. 9. 1862.

 

Dear Jennie:— According to promise and in order to be punctual and have duty attended to, I this evening will write you a letter and give you a full history of my travels and arrival in Camp. On Monday after bidding you adieu I went home and at 11 in the forenoon I went to Altoona with Martin & Alex and saw them off. I then went home and called on Sam & lady. I spent several hours with them and then made my way home and went to bed and as you are well aware I naturally would take a sound sleep for certain reasons Tuesday morning I rose early and took the 7 o’clock train and moved on towards Philadelphia. When I came within 8 miles of Harrisburg, I met Martin & Alex and so I got off and / went with them over the Susquehanna river to the town of Dauphin and took dinner, after which we paraded around through town and made quite a number of calls, among which we called at Mr. Winn’s and got acquainted with his two beautiful daughters who entertained us very nicely for several hours. We then bade the folks good by and went to the station and by 5 o’clock we got aboard the train and away we went for Philadelphia. we arrived in the City by 11 o’clock and put up for the night. This morning we came to town Camp and found all the boys in good spirits. Snow is as plenty here as at home The boys were glad to see me and I in return to see them. This has been a very disagreeable day Snowed and sleeted all day, and this evening it is storming and sleeting at a great / rate, but I hope that by morning the air will be calm and the day fair. So soon as I came to Camp I was put to work, and had to make the pay-roll for the Company, still I took it all patiently and did as I was told and purpose doing so, so long as I remain in the Army. I received your letter to-day but as you told me I found nothing new, as you were kind enough to tell me all it contained before I left for Camp. Evans & Jacob Walters send their respects to you. I gave the Medallion to Barney and told part of the old lady’s story but could not remember it all. I feel very well to-day but not able to handle the labor. Still I think that in a few days I will be as stout as ever and one of the busy bodies of the Camp for such I wish to be /

 

Well Jennie to tell the truth is my motto all the time and it is what is always requested. This is the third time that I bid you adieu within one year and the last time was the most sensibly felt, any how by me. It is hard to part with dear friends, but when duty calls I must obey and hope for better times in a future day. Still Jennie be contented and be assured that I am among the living and well and feel perfectly at home

 

Give my love to Lue and my best respect to your mother and Aunt and all others you see. If any persons ask you what position James Irwin holds, you can tell them that I saw him standing guard to-day as a private and he is nothing else and more than that he will not be any higher. Enclosed you will find three cards, two for you and one for Lue please hand the one to Lue and tell her my love goes with it. I wll send the likeness as soon as I can get to town to get it taken. So no more but take the high privilege of signing myself your most affectionate friend until death                   John H. Black

                                                                                    Ord. Sergt Comp G

 

Address the same as before and write soon

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