1862 August 14 Camp Ferry

   Adjt.’s Tent
                                                      Camp Ferry  Augt. 14/62
Dear Sister Helen,
                             Your unexpected and kind letter
I received yesterday from Charles Linsley together with the
towel which was very acceptable     I cant hardly
believe that we will march as soon as Col thinks
and I hope you won’t work to hard to get my things
ready     I shan’t want my drawers until we leave
         I think we will get away week after next but
I cant tell certainly and don’t think the Col. can
either  we will go as soon as that I have no doubt
     I hope you will come down Saturday and I think
I can get away to return with you -      If you come
on the 1 ½ train I think you will see all this
you will want to        We have Dress Parade now
at 5 o clock and there isn’t much else to see
         I cant thing of any thing that I want but what
you will bring down with you     I am getting along very
well -     I caught some cold last night but that
is nothing when one gets used to it
                   Tell Hattie it was very kind in her to write
even a few lines and that I will write when I get time
                   With love to all    I remain   Your      Jim

                   Tell Charles that C. Linsley enlisted yesterday in
Capt. Harvey’s Co.        Capt Bassetts Coy is full but
if he knows of any one that want to join it to send
them along he Capt. will accept 5 or 6 good
boys and turn out some of the rough ones
                                                 Jim
     Aaron Pratt is sick this morning and has
vomited some only the effects of a cold
I guess     perhaps it would be best not to say anything
about it to his Folks as he will probably get over it
soon if he does not I will write again
                             Once more
                                                Jim
[The rest of this page was used to practice penmanship.]

James H. Howard,  15th Connecticut

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12668