|
Seven Miles from Richmond June 22
My Dear Mother
It is once more Sunday, and a beautiful day it is but very hot and dry We
have not had any rain for a week it has been very warm all the week and we
have not had much to do. I wrote you once that we had been put into
Martindales brigade but we did not stay there long as the most of the
officers in the regiment did not like it and would have resigned if we had
been kept there. So Genl Porter took us under his special charge again. We
moved our camp yesterday about half a mile. The colonel thought it would be
more healthy for us to get a new spot and besides that the rebs had got in
the habit of throwing shell pretty close to us and I guess we are a little
safer now than we were before. I received your letter today dated the 18th
it was a good long one I hope you will do so some more. I wrote to you last
week and also to Aunt Libbie at the same time. I have been out this
afternoon getting some Mulberries for supper they look very much like a
blackberry and are nearly as good. There is going to be plenty of fruit
here this year the peach trees are loaded with half grown peaches. I hope I
shall not have to stay here long enough for them to get ripe. You seem to
think that there is a great deal of vice in a camp, but I do not think
there is half the wickedness in the whole of Porters division that there is
in the little town of New Berlin. You may think that I have got that pretty
steep but I think it is true. There is a great deal of Artillery firing
going on here now. and last night there was quite a battle down to the left
of us, but I have not heard what it was and probably shall not until we get
the papers. We can get the New York Herald and other papers every day by
paying fifteen cents for them that is a pretty good price for a newspaper,
but I had rather give it than go without anything to read. The News is only
one day later than you have it. Harrington is back with the Company again
but he is not fit to be here he would not go home when he had a chance for
fear that people would call him a coward. I think if I was in his place I
would not throw away my life just to save being called a coward. I think
there will be a battle very soon. We were called up last night and have
been kept ready to march all day but have not started yet. I think if I had
some of your cheese down here I could sell it to pretty good advantage. The
poorest kind of White Oak sells here at 40 and 50 cents per pound. I think
if we had to stay down here after Richmond is taken I will have you send me
some. I am all out of postage stamps and would like to have you send me
some for I can not get them here. I would like a little good tea well
enough if you can send it for I have not had a bit since I left Washington
and I think it would be good for me. I have got to go on dress parade and
can not write any more so goodbye. Remember me to all
Your Aff Son
CJHardaway
Historical Notes
|
