In camp near Sharpsburg, Md. Oct 1^st '62

 

Dear Brother

Yours of the 19^th came to hand this morning and I will at once write you an answer. I was very glad to hear that you were all in good health. The mail comes very irregular. I get very few letters. I hope the mail will come more regular. I recd a letter today from Henry. He is in the Hospital at Frederick. He is a getting better. I have but very little news to write, nothing special going on. We have been camped here ever since the Battle of Antietam. How long we will stay here I know not.... / We may move in an hour, and it may be one or two months, it depends altogether upon circumstances. We have not had a chance to draw any clothing for a long time, and the most of us has but suit, and the dirt and lice is found everywhere in camp. But I think arrangements will soon be made for us to draw clothing, and then we will make a little better appearance. We have made out our muster rolls and sent them to Washington City, and I think perhaps we will get paid off in the course of one or two weeks. We have but little duty to perform at present. We have to go on Brigade every day, which lasts 2 hours. 

 

I write two or three letters almost every week but seldom get more than one. We hear all kind of reports. A report just now came into camp "that jeff Davis has offered a compromise" and that he has sent commissioners to Washington for that purpose. Whether this be true or not I cannot say. I hope it is so that this war may soon be over and we may be permitted to return to our respective homes. All of our troops are anxious for this war to close, and Oh! what a sound of joy would be heard all through camp / if such were the case. I have a much harder time since I have been with the Regt than I had when I was in the Q.M. Department. I must soon close. I would like very much to see you and the rest of my relatives. I would like to take dinner at home some Sunday or I would like to attend some apple pearings &c. But there is something else I would like, and that is this. I would like to hear that peace was declared. I must close for the present.                                                                  

W. H. Speer

 

Sandford Speer

 

[upside down front margin]

 

we are camped within a half a mile of the Potomic River

WHS

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