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In camp July 6 1862
Dear Mother
I received one letter friday and one again today and it has really done me
good to hear from home. I have felt like a lost sheep for the last week for
we have been on the go all the while without any rest or grub either and
besides that I have lost my knapsack and have only got one shirt and one
stocking left. The boys make a good deal of fun of me for not having only
one stocking but I guess I shall be able to get another before a great
while. I am not alone in my misfortunes for there is some that have not got
even any shoes. We are camped now in a beautiful piece of woods and I think
that they will let us rest for a while and give us some clothing tents The
most of the regiments in this division have not got a tent to sleep in and
none of them have blankets which makes it rather uncomfortable for we are
having very cool nights just at present. I see that the papers can not get
hold of much news concerning the army and its movements I think it is just
as well and a little better that they should not. The first two days that
we came down here our company was encamped in the grave yard of the old
Harrison family. I saw Charley Beardslee this morning he is not running
Gaines Mill as much as he was he and Frank Eagles are the only New Berlin
boys now left in the 14th. The regiment is very badly cut up and so is the
whole brigade. We have lost our Lieut. Col. the only good officer that we
had in the regiment, our company has been very fortunate so far we have
only lost one man but perhaps we are saved to be cut up in the next battle.
I hope however that we shall not have to go into battle again it makes me
shudder when I think what we have passed through already it does not seem
possible for men to be alive after being in such showers of bullets as we
were in the last two battles, but thank God I am yet alive and safe. I have
had fighting enough and they can not send me home to quick, but I guess I
shall not have the good luck to get sent home right away. You ask what a
Corporals pay is it is THIRTEEN DOLLARS per month and a private gets
thirteen dollars per month do not have a chance to see any secret ladies
and have not spoken to but one woman since I left Utica I think that is
going a good while but I dont know as I miss it much When you write again
please send me some stamp for I am all out and if you can send it I would
like some Tea. There is nothing more to write about so I might as well stop
here.
Your aff Son
CJHardaway
Historical Notes
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