1862 July 3 near Warrenton, Va.

[from the diary of Ephraim Wood, Co. C, 13th Massachusetts]




 Thursday   July 3^rd  1862

Dear Sister Sophia

                             Enclosed in Fathers

letter I received one from you

marked No 24  I received by the

same mail a lot of Ledgers and

a journal, they arrived just

in the right time, as it was

rainy and gloomy.  I was anxious

to have something to read.  I

had been studying Hardee

all the forenoon.  It has cleared

off this morning.  The Sanitary

Committee were out here day before

yesterday.  They condemned these

ponchos tents and we have been

ordered to make out requisitions

for Libby tents, which will

add to our comfort a good

deal.  To Morrow is [a word lined through]  fourth

of July.  I hope you will

enjoy yourself, and I guess

you will if you are going to spend

that day at Miss Hurds.  I wish

it was so that I could be there

with you.  I have sent a kind of

journal which will let you know

what I have been doing the last

few days.  My love to Mother and

all the Family.  With much love

I remain your affectionate Bro

                                           Albert

[The following address appears on the center section of  page 8 which has obviously been folded to use as the envelope.  All of the preceding pages are folded as well. Ephraim must have sent this entire section of his journal to his sister.]

     Miss Sophia A. W. Wood

                      Wellesley

                                       Mass.

Formerly West Needham  Mass

               Care Henry Wood  Sq

                      Color Manufacturer

near Lake Waban

             

                  Journal Continues

     Thursday July 3^rd/62

Pleasant.  We had no drill

today neither Dress Parade.

Very Warm,  In the evening

a number of Bon Fires were

built and the Boys acted, as

though they intended to have

a merry night of it.  They

were quite noisy after taps.

The Officer of the day had to

speak to quite a number.

Our Captain told us to keep

quiet till morning, and then

we could have as good a time

as we wanted.


[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]


MSS 12021