1861 November 26 Camp Palmer Virginia

My Dear Nephew--
Your welcome letter
reached me safely today, and having
written to your mother already and feeling
very tired, I did not intend writing you
tonight, but then I know you would like
to hear from your dear uncle--so here
goes--Well my beautiful you brag
as much as ever don't you? I guess
you forget how I used to put you on my
Knee, and make you mind me--I suppose
you are almost large enough to handle
me now, but you should respect old age
George, and not threaten me so--O my boy
I only wish I had you here with me--
Wouldn't I make you step around--and
you would have to touch your hat to me
every time I passed you, and when you

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wanted anything of me, you would have to
stand at the door of my tent, with your
hand to our cap, and wait till I spoke
to you before you could speak--Yes my boy
I'd make you know your master--I wish
you could be on here George to see our camp--
more than a thousand horses & men to ride
them and when they ride (the men I mean)
out to Drill it is really a very fine sight--
the horses are going as fast as they can.
You should see them charge sometimes--
The sabres rattle, the men cheer, and it is
Enough to scare anyone--Don't you think
it much pleasanter to make such a charge
in fun, than when you have an Enemy in
front of you firing with guns & cannons at you?
But them there is no child's play about these
charges in fun, for Every day some of the men
get hurt--I only hope my boy that you
may never be a soldier, but if you Ever become
one--and a good one, you would ride over a

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house if you are ordered to--Why think George
when I take my men out to drill for
ten hours in the morning- if a man speaks
or even turns his head when he has not my
permission-I punish him for it--Do you
want to now how we punish men? Well
I'll tell you--Sometimes we put them in
the guard house for two or three days with
nothing but bread & water to live on--and hard
work all the time--Sometimes I stand a
man on a barrell & make him stand 2 or 3
hours or all day or night, and sometimes
put a large sign on his back and tie
him fast to a post on the parade
ground, and lots of other punishments, that
I won't tell you of, for you will think
you have a very cruel uncle--Now we
don't punish men who try to do their duty
& can't do it, but only those who are lazy
or who are wilfully negligent, and try and
make all the rouble they can--

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I wish you could see my horses--one
is a mare. The other one is a horse--I
bought him today for $50--He is a
small bay--but I think a very good
animal--The mare will go through
a house or fire or charge a rail
road train if you wanted her to--
Now I must stop-for I have already
written you a long letter--If you
have any questions to ask, do so & I will
answer--Just wait til I come back
next year, little Tom & I have funds[?]
Well we must wait--Now George
be a good boy. don't run away skating
this winter when your other don't want
you to, for you will surely get drowned if
you do--Kiss little tom dear little fellow
for me & Remember me to all the
boys--now old Pal[?] good night--write soon
to your affectionate uncle.

Al

[nothing is known about the identity of Al]
MSS 15277