Camp Cram1 Baltimore Co
Oct 1st. 1862
Dear Mother
I received your kind letter last Monday but have been unable to answer it before this time and I am in good Spirits and as I write the same every time I should like to ask if you doubt us for you always write about being ____ and thinking alls fine. Then for my part I never enjoyed myself more in my life and would not & do not want to go home or be treated any better while the War lasts and while there is a place in Uncle Sams Army. I'd jump for it rather than be cooped up in Boston & down in the Cellar of Ditson's Music Store where its most impossible to get a draft of fresh Air. To be sure you are away from all society but I have found out a few who called themselves Friends & more too who I shant know when I get home. Benny came into Camp with his Company yesterday and showed me a letter he had from Abby. I have written to her three times but I never shall again untill I get a reason that is satisfactory.
I am glad to hear you are going to send a Box for there are a few things we need very much but don't send a thing that we shall have to carry but what we send for. We need 2 Rubber Blankets and some writing Paper for Lute had to get some this morning and I shall be expecting that box of Barberries and hope I shall feel as much like going into them as I do now. I am now lying on the ground under the large Oak Trees with which our camp abound and with my Friend Blackman2 who is writing to his Girl. He is a real good Fellow and I like him very much he sends his love to you and sais if he ever gets home he means to come and see you. We have Tip Top times and if all in our Tent were like him we'd get along well enough but they are not
I don't feel much like writing today so you must excuse me
From your Affectionate Son
My love to you and Father
1Transcribed as "Camp Crain" in previous letters, Camp Cram was about seven miles from Baltimore, near the village of Powhattan, and in a position to guard the Liberty Turnpike. The error demonstrates the difficulty of transcription; consider this computer-enhanced photo of the original letter, actual size. The logo is likely the same as that which was cut out of the September 26 letter. The apparent bright light on the letter is only a side-effect of the digital enhancement.
2"Friend Blackman" refers to Charles Elbridge Blackman. Blackman appears often in Henry's letters. Blackman married Hannah M. Glover at Dorchester, 17 September 1865. Their sons Charlie & Freddie, age 7 & 8, both died of scarlet fever January 1876. Blackman died January 1902, in Milton, of sclerosis of the liver.