1862 April 18 5 1/2 miles from Yorktown, Va.

Friday  April 18th / 62


Friends

We are now in
Camp, 5 1/2 miles from york
town, virginia we came
here last evening But
cannot tell how long
we shall remain here
we may stop here 1,2,
or 3 weeks & we may
be called in that num-
ber of times, to move
forward.  This is a very
pleasant country & we
have  a as warm weather
here now as we have
in york state in
June or July.
We should like
soldiering much better
if we had plenty of

[page 2]
of the staff of life
our Bread is crackers
our meet is pork & beef
but we do not have
that all the time we
have beans to spoil[?]
beans peas once in
a while but they are
like angels visits few
& far between Potatoe
are scarce.
When we can
get things to eat we
generally have plenty
but that is not often
our feed for the last
three days has been
crackers & coffee
as soon as we are
called to take a part
in the ba battles I

[page 3]
I shall have to go
for we are now near
the rebels. & we do not
know when we may
be called to take
a part in the strife
as to defend ourselves
Our tents are made
temporary concerns crotches
stuck in the ground with
poles on them & our blan
kets covered over them
& Brush underneath us
to lay  on, which makes
a very good bed & which
is very acceptable when
we cannot get any
feathers to sleep on
give my love to
all enquiering friends
& keep a good share

[page 4]
for yourself, yours
with much love
& my best wishes hop
hoping that the war
will soon
[illegible line]
my life is spared

[unidentified New York soldier to Jane E]

MSS 1021