Camp Crain Baltimore Co
Sept 26th 1862
Dear Mother
As I have just written to Johnny I thought I would send an answer to your kind letter at the same time it found us all well and in excellent spirits having no reason to be otherwise I got some Papers and a map from Cousin Abbie and I believe I'll tell her to send no more untill [sic] she writes to me I suppose she talks so much with Frank she don't have time. You wrote about their being out. I hope you had a good time with them. You have sent us a number of daily journals lately. But you need not use up any more. Postag as we get them direct but you can1
Send a week Herald but no other religo our
Sunday School. Paper would like to hear
now and about the Services Sunday Cal
Ingraham but as they were Episcopal I was
Somewhat disgusted but we had a good
Address in Afternoon on health and cleanliness which made up Last Sunday we were on guard but could hear them Singing and all the Civilians who act as if they never saw any one There are some of the young females who are quite good looking and if I had a chance I'd come round some of them but as we have to get ready for Dress Parade2 it takes too much time for that We had a great drill this afternoon & then Dress Parade which lasted until Sunset & now in the Evening while it's cold enough to wear your Over Coat I am writing on an old Box Lute is lying down half asleep & Hiram Nye3 is here too. getting off his dry jokes while in one tent they are singing, Home sweet Home and in another telling stories and laughing loud enough to be heard all over the Camp
You spoke about sending our under-Shirts I want you to get me some nice ones but don't send me a box until Lute writes for one and also gets me a pair of Gloves or Mits (nice ones) for when we go down to wash in the morning. The cold nips us especially that little finger of mine & we shall need them when on guard but don't send a thing unless we send for it. If you do we shall have to give or throw them away for we want t light knapsack, I suppose you remember how we looked when we marched through Boston well how do you think we looked after marching 23 miles with 40 rounds of Cartridges? & then on Guard all night we don't want any more than what we need.
I should like to be at home helping you fix your Barberries but you must not forget to send me some as I want them. We don't care how many eatables you send especially those cakes. Lute said if he'd found them in the road he'd know that you made them. The Pie was Sour & I suppose you put it in Hot or warm but Jack ate it & wagged his tail He knows that the box came from home at least we think so by his actions Tell Father to write to me as soon as he gets home & to answer that question.4 Blackman sends his love to you he said he liked you the minute he saw you he is not very well now but we take good care of him & he deserves it. Lute will write Sunday & sends his love Give my love to Lydia & all the Folks & don't worry about us for if you could see us tonight you would not
Write soon
From your Affecionate Son
P.S.
You spoke about my feeling slighted do you blame me?5 — Hen
1This area on the original letter has been cut out where a letter head logo probably existed.
2Moulton was a member of the regimental color guard.
3Hiram Nye was married to Augusta Hunt of Milton, first cousin of Corp. Charles Cook of the 35 Reg.
She died of diphtheria, 28 Feb 1864, age 33.
4After completing a 20 mile march and standing two shifts of guard duty Henry told his mother in his September 18th letter to: "Please ask Father if he thinks about wearing out 2 of me ha! ha!"
5Henry's letters hint at an inferiority complex that his mother picks up on: "I have written two letters to Abby Noyes & one to Lewis but I have received no answer & I have a mind if they do send one to send it back. if not I have less to answer & less Friends - too many Friends are dangerous."