1862 April 19

                  

[This letter is written in red ink and is from Robert E. Bedingfield.  The postscript is in black ink and is written by John Bedingfield.  At this time Robert and John were both serving with the 4^th Ga. Bat.]

                   Camp Calhoun Apl  ‘19,1862’                  

                                     Dear Pa

after a long spell I again write

you a few lines   it has been some

time since I have heard from you

John has been sick for three or

four days   he was very sick two

days but is about to get well

again.  My health is very good

with the exception of a very

bad coff [sic]   we have a great deal

of sickness in Camps.  mostly of them

are the last recruits that came

to our Company   several have the

measles.  We are expecting a fight here

soon   Fort Pulaskee has at-last

fallen into the hands of the yankees

we expect them to try Savannah

next   we are ready and willing

to meet them at any time.  Joshua

[page 2]

Thews was down here last

Saturday and Sunday   he hadent

Joined any Company at that time

he talked like would come

and Join our Company but I think

he will stay with Jim and Calvin

there is notelling  when I will go

home   there is no furloughs given to

to[sic] Soldiers now as we are expecting a

fight every day   I would like very

well to go home  I will go the first chance

I get.  Tell Allen to pitch in and

make a Crop   he may have to go to the

War before it is over with   I hope you

will not attemt [sic] to make any Cotton this

year but plant corn and plenty of it

   tell Ma that I have a plenty of

Cloths to do me a while longer yet

the pants.  She sent me came in good

time and I felt is very thankful for

them

    

[page 3]

     I believe that I have written

about all that I can think of so I will

leave the balance of the page for John

to fill   give my love to all of the family and

except [accept] the same your self  I remain your

obedient     Son

                            R E Bedingfield

P.S.  On Sunday night last I had an

attack of dysentery, which was very

severe causing considerable fever.

It weakened me very much, & even

now I am very feeble, though I am in

fair way of recover.  I was afraid

at first that I would have another

spell, but it will turn out better.

I send you the Conscription Law.

It may interest you to know the prices of

provisions in this Market. – Pork is

worth 25 cts a pound, Fresh beef 25,

[page 4]

Eggs 50 cts a dozen, butter 75 cts a pound

Chickens 75 cents a piece, Cheese

$1.00 a pound, brandy $3.00 a quart.

(though soldiers are not allowed to buy liquors)

& these prices are readily paid.

If you have any article that I have

mentioned to sell you can get the

price for it without difficulty.  Men

in Camp have plenty of money & pay

any price for what they want.

I wish Ma could send me a few pounds

of country butter, & a few eggs. __ When

I go home I would like to have my

Janis suit made by a tailor in Thom-

asville.  They charge enormous prices in Savah.

I begin to need another suit, & I hope Ma

will get the cloth as soon as possible.  She

can probably buy it in the neighborhood.

Bob will not need his in some time.  No letter

has come from you yet. -      John.

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 13119