Hagerstown Md. June 22^nd 1862

 

            Dear Parents,

                                                Yours of the 13^th came to hand a few days since, and I will at once proceed to answer it, for I am very anxious to hear from home at least once a week. I will not promise to write you a very lengthy or interesting letter, for there is nothing of very much importance going on here at present. I am still doing business in the Quartermaster's department of Capt. Geo. A. Flagg here in Hagerstown Md. I do not know how long we will remain here, but in all all probability we will remain here for some time yet, although I would have no objections to go over into "Dixie" again. I can inform you that I am enjoying very good health at this time, and I hope that these few lines may find you and the rest of the friends in good health. I would like very much to see you all again, and spend a few weeks with you, and I would like very much to meet my young associates again at a picnic or something of the kind, which I imagine are transpiring in that neighborhood at this time. But during the months of May & June generally the most beautiful of the whole four seasons, my old companions will bear in mind that I regret very much being absent from the dear old scenes. But for what am I absent, but to restore the union and liberty of a people, who know nothing but liberty, and liberty they will have, no matter how many pleasure excursions they may sacrifice, and it being willed that they should sacrifice life, they / know full well that the crown of glory will rest upon their heads, and that all interested friends and relatives will enjoy the once great and glorious institutions of liberty and union. You no doubt have heard ere this that the 7^th Indiana regiment has been in another hard fought battle. It took place at a place called Port Republic. The force engaged was mostly composed of western men, who did their duty nobly, as is evidenced by their fighting a foe more than five times their number for five hours and then retreating in order, excepting one or two regiments which were completely surrounded and was compelled to take to the mountains, many of whom made their way back to the division. The Seventh Indiana regiment did noble duty, holding their position on the right for four hours against a vastly superior force, their Colonel (Gavin) repeatedly charging and driving the enemy like sheep. They left Fredericksburg eight hundred strong, and arrived at Port republic with only three hundred and fifty, the remainder being left along the road, sick and disabled, and after the fight they mustered about one hundred and forty, loosing more than half their force. It certainly must have been a hard fought battle. I will send you the names of the killed and wounded of the 7^th Indiana Regiment. There are quite a number with whom I was acquainted / By looking over the list you will observe that my orderly sargeant (Jacob Varner) is seriously wounded. I am very anxious to hear more of the particulars of the fight. I would like to hear the names of those who are missing and those who were taken prisoners. We will probably hear from them again before long. You spoke a little about coming to see us after harvest. I would be glad if you would do so. you said provided we were near a railroad. if we remain here we will be close to the railroad, it runs within twenty feet of the office in which I sleep. And should we move away from here, we will be very apt to go to a place where there is a railroad. I want you to be sure and come, and then we will try and get a furlough and go home with you. But I expect that a furlough for a well man will be hard to get. But we will do our best.

 

For the last five or six days Henry has been down at Williamsport they have been repairing the ferry across the Potomic at that place. I believe he will get through there today. We have got a portion of our extra pay. The one month and eight days that we were with Capt Thompson we have not got yet, and we will not get it until we send him the pay rolls and get his signature. We do not know exactly where he is at, at present, but we can find out in a short time by Telegraph                   W HSpeer /

 

Today is Sunday and a very nice pleasant day it is. Henry and I have been out to meeting today, about two miles from town. the meeting was held in a grove. there were quite a number present. It reminded me of the meetings that we used to have around Clermont, with the exception that today there were none present with whom I was acquainted. The crops in this country looks well. The wheat looks well and will ripe in a few more weeks Corn also looks well. they raise very few weeds in the cornfields here. Wages for harvest hands is very high ranging from two to two dollars and a half a day. I must now close. please write soon, and give all the news. tell me whether you have rec^d that box or not. Tell all the friends to write. We will probably remain here in Hagerstown for some time yet. Give my love and respects to all.

 

I am as ever your affectionate Son,

W. H. Speer

 

To ^Wm Speer & family

 

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