Camp of 29^th Mass Vols. Somerset Ky May 31^st 1863

 

Dear Sister

                        I will now commence a letter as I am not buisy this evening. I feel somewhat disappointed to night in receiveing no mail. We have had no mail since last Monday. its provoking that we should be deprived of our mail when the Cincinnati papers are brought to Camp daily. there is a screw loose somewhare. I think that receiving letters from ones friends when in the army is the main thing that makes the soldier as contented as he is. stop the mail and he feels blue, especially when there is no cause for it. I ought to have a peck of letters & papers on the way somewhere. Enough of that but I would not have you think I am blue for I was never in better spirits in my life. I am well & hope this will find you all enjoying the same blessing. Well this is the Sabbath day. You would perhaps like to know how I have spent it I will tell you. First in going on Monthly Inspection, then in reading my testament and American Union this afternoon I attended services under a shade tree in the 27^th NJ regt. lastly before retireing I shall write you a letter. This is the last year of our enlistment and it seems to me the time is flying away fast. 4^th of July will soon be around again We have already spent 2^nd out here one in Hampton Va one in the mud a foot deep at Harrisons Landing Va. We may not spend this next in Ky a soldier knows not one day where he will be the next. Everything remains unchanged about here save / an occasional alarm but they do not amount to much. therefore my letter will be short. I should not have writen to you to night had I not coaxed Seth to day and made him promise to give me his Photograph to send to you & Mary. I thought I would send it before he had a chance to change his mind. His pictures were good ones. I dont believe you would have got it had not you sent him those Shevrons they pleased him very much. he is out I am alone in the tent now If I ever have a chance to have good ones taken I will do so & by the way if either of you or the Briggs girls ever have any more taken I would like to have another for this reason You recolect I spoke to you about the first one Andrew sent me fadeing. Yours, Marys, Rebbeccas, Mary A^s have all done the same they dont look good they are yellow. the man in Paris said they were not properly washed was the cause Abbie has had hers taken and is going to send me one I am to have Capt Doten's I now have my book just full, but there is plenty more room between the leaves. I have I think 20. The first rain of any amount we have had since ariving here fell yesterday. We had a tempest. I think I never saw it rain harder for a short time. it swept down through our camp swept the tents away and in some instances where no one was in them washed blankets coats &c out beneath the tents into the mud. I actuly saw one heavy iron frying pan carried from the street far below the camp you can judge of the force & depth of water on the ground to do that. We are on a side hill but not a very great slant to it I think Seth has gone to church in town this evening. I just herd a great rush towards the line officers tents and ran up to see what the rush was. it was this a large log that would / weigh a ton had been started from the top of the hill some 500 yards distant it came like lightning to one of the officers tents in the next Co did not stop untill it had spoiled the shape of their house there was a great laugh but it took the officers by surprise and was no joke for them its a wonder no one was hurt. The bugles are blowing for roll call. I suspose I am on Picket tomorrow. I am going to put my last stamp on this so if the mail does not come I think some one will be minus of letters from me. Its out of the question to procure a stamp here, you recolect that if you should not hear from me that might be the cause. We are having a very pleasant evening. We hear good news from Grant I would not wonder if we yet left this state and went to Grant or back to Va as they intend to defend the state of Ky with her own troops. We have taken quite a number of rebel troops on this and the other side of the river. I herd from Walter a few days ago. he was well I cannot think of anything to write A new Doctor came for our regt yesterday. I think his name is Horatio Woodbury. We have three Dr now enough to kill the whole regt. I think Gov Andrews had better send a chaplain in the room if some of the Dr^s we have see hot weather. Sergt Jenks is well and sends his respects to all. Our recruiting men have all returned, have been off six mos sent four men to the regt only one of them worth a snap three little pups. they at one time sent 25 to camp paid them $2500 every one ran away a dead loss to Uncle Sam. I guess the four we have cost $12,000

 

I will close my love to all Excuse Mistakes 

 

Ive writen in a hurry write often I shall get them sometime Seth sends his regards to all. My best wishes for your welfare & happiness I remain your aft Bother

 

                                                                                                Samuel C. Wright

                                                                                                            Co E 29^th Mass Vols

 

                                    June 1^st

                                                Nothing new all well

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