| 1861-11-12 | Camp Carsey |
| Camp Carsey Tuesday morning Nov. 12th, 1861 Dear Parents This pleasant morning finds me again writing to you. I received your very welcome letter last evening and you may be sure I was glad to hear from you. I mailed a letter to you yesterday morning and this makes the 5th or 6th that I have written to you, rec'd but one letter since I saw you last but perhaps you have not gotten them. I was glad to hear that you had gotten along with your work as well as you have and that your crops are as good as they are but would like to be up there to help you eat some of those nice potatoes and Johnny cakes that mother makes. But the most of the people seem to think we shall all go home in the spring. I hope this may be the case but there is no telling what will turn up before that time comes around. You wished me to tell you whether I was well or not. I have enjoyed very good health since I have been in camp though I am not quite so well as usual today though there is nothing serious the matter with me. There are quite a number of sick in our reg't, one private named Thomson and one colored cook. The private was buried yesterday forenoon. Afternoon finds me scribbling again. I should have finished before but was called out on battalion drill so you see I did not have time to write much at a time and at three o'clock we have to pass the review by General Howard and I must write what I can before that time, but my hand trembles and I cannot write very steady. I have not much news to write and I presume you get the news before we get it here for we do not know anything that is going on. We know nothing of the movements of the army, and when we are ordered to march our destination is unknown to us until we are ordered to halt. Concerning that contract I spoke to Thomson about it. He left it in the top of Danforth's book case where he left it last winter. Danforth will find it for you if you want it, and you may tell Mr. Wood that I never urged Jehiel to leave him. The morning I left Jehiel went up to Alonson Knowlton's with me and down to Mr. Watrous' and on hearing that Waiter talked of going said if Walt went he should go along. I told him I should not urge him to go but would be very glad to have him along but he must act his own pleasure and he will probably give you a statement to the same effect. Jehiel and Henry are sick but are gaining slowly. I think they will be around before many days. I am sorry Mr. Wood blames me, but it cannot be helped now, and I do not think he would feel so bad if it were not for Mrs. Barnes. I have heard that she made some rather hard wishes about the boys that left the run to defend their country's noble flag, but when we return she will be as glad to see us as anyone. It is nearly time to go out on drill and I shall not write much more at present. Those papers came very acceptable. I should be very glad to have you keep sending them if you can. This letter takes my last stamp and I shall have to stop writing until after pay day which ought to have come before today, but we must be patient until it does come. You must write as often as you can. Give my respects to all enquiring friends and tell them if they wish to hear from me they must write to me and I will try to answer all. Direct to Company I 45th Reg't Col Welsh Pa V Washington City, D.C. Write Soon. So good by for this time From your Affectionate Son. J.D. Strait | |