Camp Near Stafford Court House Va

Saturday 23^rd, 1863

 

Dear Mother

            When I came in from Pickett this noon I found a letter for me from you & another and 2 or 3 papers from Uncle Edward and it is real pleasant to receive letters when one is tired & hungry & sleepy &c. and then to learn that you are well &c. I have got some paper and envelopes and am not going to object to your sending two sheets but wish you would fill both for although we have to pay dear for paper I think it as cheap as to have it sent from home in any quantity. Our Co is so small that we are either on Pickett or guard every / other day and it is somewhat tedious but is better than drilling all the while. I am glad you get along so well and hope you will continue so. you must not think of such a thing as being lonely even evenings for there is nothing to be afraid of. I think I would take my chances of being lonely in the Old House if some one would take my place in the woods here on Pickett with nothing in sight or hearing but whippoor wills and lizards and wood ticks mosquitoes flyes &c &c it is getting to be scorching hot and we suffer from the heat more than we did from the cold in winter and you would think I was a contraband almost at / any rate before the summer is out. I wish you would send me a small towell if you have one to spare I have lost mine somewhere. I guess it would come as well as a pair of stockings. Have you got your garden planted yet? I had some of the best water yesterday I have drank in a long time we came across a good spring on Pickett. we generally drink from any brook that is nearest and the water is not very cold. I have heard from father directly and through Antoinette too but you have heard before this. I have taken the letters that came to the Reg^mt for him since the fight and sent them to him a day or two since, and sent the one I / had from him to Aunt Rebbecca (spelt wrong I reckon), for it said Charly was there and I could tell her nothing more I also sent his letters to him. Since we got back we have burned up all the rubish around our Camp and swept the ground over and set out little pines each side of each street and have a very pleasant Camp. But after all I rather think I should just as soon be in Conn. I am only going to write you one sheet for you and Antoinette are not together now and I must write to both and you and her in corresponding can put mine in and send them to each other if you choose and think it will pay. But I must close for my sheet is most full.

 

Accept this with much Love

from your affectionate Son

Evelyn

 

Mother

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