1862 April 20 Camp Franklin

[letter of Hiram Cash of the 5th Maine begun on April 15th continues]

Since I wrote this first there has been
quite a change our whole division on the
17th were ordered to go on board the transports
and go down the Potomac to join McClellan
the river was full of steamers and schooners
all loaded with men horses and provision
of all kinds we got under weigh about noon
and went down about 6 miles and stoped all
night waiting for four schooners they got
along early in the morning and were fastened
to our steamer then we started on we had
a nice sail and we saw a great many new

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things on the way we arrived last night
off ft Monroe this morning we started for
your river about noon we arrived to a place
called ship point about 10 miles from
yorktown it has been so foggy for two
days we cannot see much but I think
it is a pleasant place we have not
landed yet and may not for a day or two
our cooks and pioneers have gone on
shore with orders to cook two days
rations and bring on board the steemer
we are expecting a mail steemer along soon
to take our letters I look for a letter from
you that I should have got Thursday then
I shall write again. i want you to name
the date of all the letters you recieve from
me so I shall know if you get them I have
not time to write any more this time so
I must close.  I shall write as often as I can
so try and not worry if you do not get a
letter every week write as often as
you have any thing to write
  Your son Hiram M. Cash.

MSS 12916