Augustus Smith to Olive Smith, 25 September 1862
Poolesville. Sept 25. 1862
 
            Olive,
 
                                    Once more I am favored with another letter from you & Jane. I waited for the mail last night till a late hour but was oblige to abandon all hopes until morning, when an eager company of men gathered around the Chaplain for their long looked for mail. We are having now a comparative easy time to what we have had there is only five companies of the Reg on duty at a time that is patroll duty from the Manoxa river to Edwards ferry we were on picket there / the infatry relieved us. Our Co was on duty at Conads ferry where the troops crossed at Balls Bluff the battle field was in sight of my post. it was here that John Walker was killed Our Col is in camp near Poolesville recruiting our horses as well as ourselves. we were worne all out we felt old from the loss of sleep but all in good health & spirits there has been but little sickness in the Reg for two months It is uncertain how long we stay here perhaps one day & perhaps a month. We have been spared these last battles I am not at all sorry for I think that we have had our share of chunk iron throwed at us both from ambush and the open field
 
We have just hurd from some of our company boyes that was taken prisoners they have been / parolled. our whole company came very near being taken at Catlic station at the time Genl Pope's train was taken we were there that night the darkness & torrents of rain only saved us. we lost sevrel boyes that night. If I had not spoiled my memorandum I could write quite a history but carrying paper upon my person and being wet through & through is an impossibility but I have it all printed on paper that will not erace as long as memory lasts. I want you to write in what Reg the boyes that I know are in & companies for I may chance to meet them I have seen severel Vt Reg's but none that I knew If I had knowed the Co I might have found some that I have chanced to seen 
 
I was some what surprised to here of Jane & Romeo little thought when we went to school togather he would be trying the family What do the folks of it. Tell Jane I will write soon. I have just hurd that there is a prospect of leving to morrow. Since I came from the hospital my hair has all come out except a short down about an inch long. If it does not grow faster I shall have cold ers. I should like some stockings I never have worn government ones yet and do not want to If we go into winter quarters I will send things. If Uncle Harry will take care of that money & pay me interest I will send him more when I am paid off.
 
            Direct as before my respects
            to all
                                    Yours
                                                            Augustus
6199
DATABASE CONTENT
(6199)DL103176Letters1862-09-25

Tags: Hospitals, Money, Picket Duty, Prisoners of War, War Weariness

People - Records: 2

  • (1930) [writer] ~ Smith, Augustus
  • (1931) [recipient] ~ Smith, Olive

Places - Records: 1

  • (880) [origination] ~ Poolesville, Montgomery County, Maryland

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SOURCES

Augustus Smith to Olive Smith, 25 September 1862, DL1031, Nau Collection