Sep 12^th 1862

 

Dear Mother Brother and Sister

I now seat myself under a little hay roof to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well and hope that they may find you enjoying the same blessing although I heard that Mother was sick. we are now about four miles from Newport on the hillsides. I do believe that there is not an acre of level ground about here. We have not slept more than three nights in a place since we left camp denison. this morning about three oclock we were awakened by the rain runing through our hay roofs into our faces / we drew on our overcoats and blankets and kept dry. it has been drizling almost all day. we will get our tents in a few days I think. the rain does not hurt us for we are as lively as ever. the rebels do not come very close to us but stay away for they know we are to strong for them. they attacted some of our men about six miles from here and got eleven men killed and several wounded but they did not kill but one of ours and wound 5 or 6. We are afraid we will lose our captain for he has been unwell ever since / we left camp denison the boys all hate it for they love him dearly they think there never was such a captain and and I dont think there ever was either for he is so good to us. Alvin Abe Jeffrey says that if you dont write to him he will desert for nobody writes to him. tell Mother to take good care of herself and dont fret about me for I believe I will get back. we have orders orders to march either today or to morow so I must begin to prepare for it. As I have no more to write I will / draw my letter to a close by giving you my best respects.

 

Direct to Newport

K         79 Reg OVI

Care of Capt

Wilson

SOURCES