Southport Tuesday. Oct. 22^d 1861

 

Dear mother this morning I seat myself upon my bunk to write to you this morning it is quite chilly and we find that overcoats do not come amiss. Mother I came pretty near getting my arm broke day before yesterday as a lot of us were getting apples there was some boys a throwing stones one of them struck my arm just above the elbow and it run down my arm like lightning and I came pretty near fainting and now though it has been 72 hours it feels just as though it was asleep but it does not pain me any. since I comenced writeing I have out on guard mounting and actted as supernumanary. it is now about 9 oclock and still it is quite cold yesterday I saw 35 wild gees in one fock they were going south where we shall soon have to / go we expect to go to Staten Island in 2 weeks from yesterday where we shall stay about 2 or 3 weeks and then go on to washington where we will be examined and then sent on to Kentucky and who knows that I will ever see old allegany again mother I expect my pay the last of next week and then you may look for some I lost one dollar between Wellsville and Hornillsville but I had innough to take me through and had 45 cents left I have drilled 3 hours this forenoon and written this letter it ust to take me as long to write a letter let alone the drill so you see I have gained on writeing fast but I must close only you must write soon this from your affectionate son

                                                                                                Willard. M. Selden

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