Camp Advance

                                                                                                Near Chambersburgh

                                                                                                            July 13^th 1863

 

My Dear Mother

                        I wrote to Hen from Shippensburg last week but did not give him any directions to here to write to. We are now about 2 miles South of Chambersburg having marched 11 miles on Saturday passing through that place. We passed Col M^cClures barn but did not see the fortifications [paper fold] up on their retreat. we had our knapsacks carried 7 miles by wagons where we unloaded them in Col. McClures barn / we then marched 4 miles with our Gum Blankets & shelter tents some of our mess agreed to bring Gum & others woolen Blankets so that we would not have too much off a load.

 

Our knapsacks have just arrived in wagons from where we had put them. David Williams was taken sick & was left to help guard our things but he is much better & will be along in a day or two. I don’t know how long we will stay here, nobody knows We go around the country for provisions every house I have been in yet the Rebs have visited & eat them out. It is difficult for us to get / anything but we make out first rate. I am

 

The 30^th Regt is encamped in the same woods as we are. Cousins Sam^l Davis & Sam^l Baker are in it I have been over to see them several times they both send much love to you & all the family they were in the battle at Carlisle but they were neither of them hurt. as soon as they heard there was a Company from Catasauqua here they enquired for Sam. They were very glad to see me & I was also to see them. It has rained very often & hard ever since we have away & that Kind of weather is not very good for soldiering although I need never get wet unless it rains / during roll call & when we have to stand guard we don’t have any drill or dress Parade in rainy weather. we are

 

I am in good health & hope you are all the same

 

Love to my Bros & Sisters &

much love to yourself

            from    Aff. Son

                                    David Davis

                                                Co B 38^th Regt PM

                                    Care of Col Horn

                                                near Chambersburg

                                                                        Pa

 

We can hear the cannons from where we are now

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