December 12^th 1862

 

Dear Parents,

                        According to what I wrote you in my last, the expedition left at the time appointed. Yesterday morning we were all astir by half past four for we were to start form line at six o’clock. Our things had all been taken away the night before every thing we were not going to take with us; and placed on board a schooner, down in the river. At six oclock we formed our line and after the reading of the instructions in regard to the march we started off. We marched around to fort Totten where we came to a halt for two or three hours while the / column was getting under way. at last we started off, slowly at first About this time I was taken with a chill, and the Dr told me I had better go back to the hospital I did not like the idea much, but finally concluded I had better. so I started back. by the time I had reached the hospital I had gone about my length taking off my things, lay down on a bed and soon was sound asleep. did no wake up until after dinner when I found myself in a high fever. after drinking a cup of hot coffee I began to sweat and the fever passed off. The last I heard of the regiment they were some eight or ten miles out and the last of the waggon train and the rear guard had not left the city then. I slept well last night and / feel pretty well this morning, except a hard cold.

 

Saturday 13^th. Yesterday afternoon I came up to the barracks. I had rather be up here than at the hospital although I suppose I should fare quite as well there as here. I get along up here well enough here except nights it is rather cold, owing to my blankets all being on board the schooner as well as all the rest of my things which I did not have with me. This morning we had orders for all to report at the provost Marshalls office at nine o’clock in the morning with all our things so this morning we packed up and marched down. after we got to the city we came to / He a halt. the officer in command went and saw the provost marshal. when he came back he faced us about and marched us back to our barrack. I am not able to say what will be the next order. The sick men were all down to the provost marshals the day before yesterday morning and he sent them back to camp. We have not heard much from the expedition yet only rumors of several skirmishes to day we could hear cannonading quite plainly in the direction of Kingston. we supposed they they would be near that place by this morning.

 

Sunday eve. 14. It has been a splendid day quite warm, there was a light frost last night

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