Camp Esex      May 17.1861.

 

            Friend Batchelder,

                                                I have but a small amt of time to write outside of the engagements I made before leaving home, and at the present moment no verry good conveinance, yet such time, and conveinanc as I have at this moment, I devote to your especial benifit. And first I will say, as you requested me to have an eye upon your son, while away from home, that I have done so, and I can say in truth what I know. You will be glad to learn, that in every respect, he has behaved in a manner which you, if present with us in Camp would commend. like the rest of the Boys under Capt B he is a man From the request you made of me I have felt the same interest in his welfare, and in his conduct that I should in my own son if he had been with us. But I have not in his conduct seen the first reason to speake a word of caution to him, his health has been remarkably good, and he is always in good spirits, appears to enjoy himself much. You can rest easy in regard to him, for he never did better in his life. Our duty is no play Training, as at muster I assure / you, we have more disipline more work, and less Play. I often wish you were with us as well as many others we have been used to muster with. Yet we have a good Reg^t one that will not in the future, as they have not since leaving Mass, disgrace the fair fame won under our past Commander. Capt Bartlett has proved himself a good commander his praise is on the lips of every officer in the Reg^t his men love, and respect him, and he has one of the best, most prompt Comp in the 8^th Col Monroe you will see has resigned the reasons you will learn in due time. Finks has been elected Col, Elwell Lieut Col, B Perley Poore Major the result of his election was sent by telegraph to Washington last evening reaching him at 9 oclock before breakfast this morning he was in camp and accepted the office. he was much pleased, and will enter upon his duties on Monday. All the Boys are well, with a verry few exceptions and they are not seriously indisposed. Capt B Boys are much pleased with the numerous little necessarys sent them by friends at home many of which they actually needed. they are / now well provided for. We hear much in regard to the new Companies at home, how much has been done for them &c, from present appearances I do not think they will be sent forward unless they join the new Regiments to be mustered in for three years. The necessity which called out the first troops for 3 months servace has been fully met, the Capitol is safe, the communication between the North and the South is opened, and will be kept so, and now the Gov^t will require troops that will serve through the war, as such can be redily had, in any number. Give my regards to all Friends, to Mrs Batchelder in particular, tell her, we miss those Puddings we have been used to having at our fall musters Our Provisions are not cooked, neather are they of such a variety as we have been used to, on on such occations. Write me if you have time,

 

                                                                        Yours Respectfully

                                                                                    Geo Treasey

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