Hagerstown Md, July 31^st/62

 

Dear Brother,

                                    Yours of the 25^th came to hand last evening. I was very glad to hear from you once more, also to learn that you were all in good health. We are still in Hagerstown but I expect we will move from here in a few days. I think we will go to Frederick from here. I got a letter yesterday from the Regiment they are now camped near Warrenton. There is a going to be a large sale of Government horses and mules here today (Condemed horses) Well Sant, I have one of the easiest times that you / ever saw. I have nothing to do. Can get a horse to ride whenever I want one. I was out a riding all day yesterday. I was out hunting up Government horses. I found three, one very nice one worth over a hundred dollars. But they had U.S. on them and they had to give them up. You talked like father & Mother both was coming down. I would be very glad to see them. I am enjoying very good health at this time. There is no war news of much consequence at this time. Everything appears to be at a stand still at this time. 

 

I have got some pictures taken and I will send one with this letter. Please get a small frame made and hang it up, so that when any of my are there, they can see how I look. It is not a very nice one, yet it resembles me some. I am glad to hear of so many volunteering. I hope that Company I will soon be full again, and more than that, I hope that this Rebellion will soon be crushed, and peace again cover our once happy Country. Considerable excitement / here about money matters, change is very scarce. They even cut bills into to make change. We recd two months pay (extra pay) this last week. there has been quite an excitement here this last week among the Citizens. every one that had any Secesh principles about him, we would make them take the oath of Allegiance or go to jail. Give my love and respects to all enquiring friends. As ever your

Brother

                        W. H. Speer

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