1862 April 15 Camp Franklin Va

Dear parents,
I have the pleasure of
writing from the same old camp
again which we have left twice never
expecting to see the place again but the
fortunes of war brings us here safe I
received a letter from you last night
bearing date of April 6th it was a very
good one as well as all you letters I was
very glad to hear from you but somehow
I want to hear what you are doing and
how you are getting along and how every
thing looks around there I was glad to
hear Cyrus was gaining I hope to hear
from him soon.  I heard from my
musket last nigh[t] by way of Lewis Robinson
I hope you will keep it looking bright and
clean.  Some of the boys were sending
money home with the C Capt. to Me. folks
and directed to Wm Bryant so I put in
$5.00 dollars with them I want you to

[page 2]
tell Mr Bryant to take out what
we are oweing him if you have not
paid him and hand the rest to you
I have sent 16 dollars to Portland by
the alotment roll as I did the last paym
ent you can get it the same as before
I want you to write about it as
soon as you hear from it so I may
know it is safe  We expect to be
paid again in about three weeks
the paymaster said he should pay
us then if it was a possible thing to
do so.  We expect every day to moove
from here and joyn McClellan at
Norfolk where a great battle is pend-
ing and will be fought unless the
Rebels evacuate the place this is
where the war for our independence
was closed by the surrender of the
British army under Cornwalace and
this war may end here the same I
hope it will myself

[page 3]
I have no particular news to
write for you get the war news as
soon as we do but it is quite healthy
here and there is but a very few
sick I had the dysentary a bit at
catlett station for a few days but
I am quite well now so is all the
Raymnd and Casco goys except
Joseph Spiller I have not heard from
him for some time he is now at
Phelidelphhia

Letter of Hiram Cash of the 5th Maine will continue on April 20


MSS 12916