Camp at New Baltimore

Va. Aug 17^th 1863

 

Dear Wife

            I thought I would commence a letter to you at this time as I have a few leisure moments. It is now ten Oclock I have just eat dinner & as this is now our usal time for such. I have been to court this forenoon. we have a case of desertion, or where a man obtained a fraudulant discharge from some that was high in power in Phil^a. It has alreadey taken two days and I think it will take two or three more at least. I have but little to do now in camp as it relieves me from all other duties. I have not but little to write at this time as I write so often. I have not receive any letters from you since I last wrote so have none to answer. I have bought bought me some shirts for summer which cost me very high also a linen coat pants &c all costing about thirty Dollars. Capt A P. Harris is oweing me one hundred Dollars bouered money. I have his note for fifty of it and the other fifty lent. I will enclose in this the note also one / for the fifty which you can keep till I return home. You can send it or the note I give to Portland for it & get it of his Brother who is a trader. I have some money now on hand which I shall send you if I do not go myself soon..(Evening) I have just come in from a ride. I took supper out with a widdowed Lady & Daughter. I have taken half my meals out since I came here & still I have lots of invitations not yet excepted. I get along finely with the folks here & they all say none is like Col Edwards, but there I will let others tell that. I rec yours of Augt 12^th to night which being good news that you are all well and are doing finely which I am always glad to hear. You speak of home as being lively I have no doubt but it is, but still I could not be contented at home long at a time while this war is rageing. I feel I owe my life if it need be to my country. I can never give up till this cursed rebellion is played out. I am glad Kate is once more with you. I hope she will stay at home now till this war is over, as I know you need some one with you. How is she and how did she like Boston, and is she courted any &c. You speak of A H M as coming out there 

 

Norm has been here for a few days and sold one full load, done well on it I think as he sold high enough. He left this morning for Alexandria. I do not think he'll come here again as I think we may move again soon as we are now under marching orders for some place but I cannot tell where. You say in you yours to not be to severe in our C Martial I have to do my duty for one and onely one. The man shot in my Regt is an old offender & no one fired fault about it, all say it was right. I am sorry that Cha^s Kimball should feel so in regard to his home. of course he hated to leave his wife, but is it right. let all do the same and the country might go to the devil for such. I think he has done very wrong in doing so. I expect you want to know how all the Boys are here from our way. Peabody the clever fellow is transfered to the invalid Corps. His brother is here and is well. Dan Sternes is still away, the same of Cha^s Dunham. Littlehale is well and is doing well, and is a very fine & trustey soldier. John Norwell is the same as ever spend & gamble all his money as fast as he gets it / Oien Brown Lew's boy, is well and is stedey none of the other boys you know. Del I have not yet seen. he is away in another part of the Army from here. Bryce is still with us. he does duty part of the time. Su Sawyer is well and is getting along findley. How is his wife. Give my regards to her. Andrew Bean is all right. I have not a sick man in the Regt at the present time. (Tuesday morning). it is one of those lovely mornings such as you have at home, cool enough to be pleasant. I have just got up, and it is almost eight Oclock but I do not have to get around very earley as our Court does not meet till nine Oclock. I would like to be at home with you at this time, as I know it is always  pleasant in Maine at this season of year or a little later. I am still in hops I may get a leave soon. I shall make one more effort soon. I would like to see our home once more in summer, or when the leaves are on the trees. I think of nothing more to write at this time. My love to all

 

Kiss the babies for me            Yours CJE

 

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You will have to get the money of Harris at once if you get it at all, as he will be back here soon again

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