Camp near Potomac Creek, VA

Sunday April the 19th, 1863

Got her letter Friday night and was glad to hear the children were better. “We have not gone yet but they say we are going tomorrow morning they have kept giveing [sic] us our Rations as fast as we Eat them up so we still have 8 days Rations yet and orders to move tomorrow morning to day they are removeing [sic] our sick to washington men that has been in the service for a long time say that this is the most curious move they ever saw. Everything looks so strange.”

Sent her $40 by mail and hopes she will get it. “I cant imagine how you got along and have 3 dollars left of that money I sent home. I am afraid you are liveing [sic] to close you will get as poor as a snale. I am afraid the next time I send home money I will have quite a little sum. I will draw all Sergeants pay next pay day”. She wrote that he was in the service six months but he says it has been “now 8 months lacking 3 days and I pray god that it wont be 8 more before I see Home and wife and my Beloved little Children it seems as if I had been here a year. You spoke about getting the same usage the poor girl got I think you would have to wait about a week after I got home first you see Hard tack and salt pork don’t make us very anxious for that kind of business it is hard work to know what a hard Jake is at present I think I like the old Red Head as you call him Better Every Day I am with him he is a thorough disciplarian [sic] and if any body has a mind to they can get along with him first rate. If the men do wrong they will find him their Equal any day he is a man posessed [sic] of tender feelings of which I know of by is treatment towards our sick men any body that wants to do right and obey him will like him the more they see him.”

There was an awful accident he just went out to see. “One of our Batteries was out Drilling and an Amunition [sic] Box Blowed up filled with shells 3 men were wounded 2 of [them- sic] mortely [sic] and one not so bad the men all started on the Double Quick thinking the Rebels were attacking us it made a dreadful noise. I cant see what they were out Drilling for on Sunday perhaps this is a lesson from god to them to obstain from future actions of the same kind”. Closing. P.S. will send her his picture if he can get it taken and some money if what he sent before arrives safely. “I have just heard that Joe Hooker has broke his leg falling from his Horse.”