Saturday, August 18, 2012

1862 August 18, Camp near Paw Paw, Va.

         Camp near Paw Paw,
                                 Va.
            August 18th, 1862
Dear Mother--In haste
I drop you a few lines
in order to banish all appre-
hensions that may have in
your mind in regard to me.
I am very well today. Was
some sick yesterday but
think my illness was caused
by eating so much trash the day be
fore.  The health of our boys is not
so good as it has been for
sometime past.  At least, the Doc
tors have more to do than usual.
Probably the most of the sickness is
caused by eating so many different
kinds of fruit which are now
ripening through the country.

[page 2]
As regards the enemy he does not
harm us yet.  He skulks
 in the mountains and does noth
ing in this region except in
the way of guerilla warfare.
By reference to the map you will
easily determine our situation
on the Baltimore and Ohio R.R.
We came here on Wednesday last
came on the cars. Will prob-
ably remain here for a
week or two and then return to
Martinsburg.  The R.R. was
threatened by a band
of Guerillas which is en-
camped 15 miles South of
here in the mountains and
     of our Regiment,
a part ^ (300 number) was ordered
here to guard it. Soldiering
goes well as long as we have

[page 3]
             to live in
good tents ^  and plenty to eat, but
when we are ordered out on
such an expedition as this and
have nothing to eat except hard
crackers, coffee and salt meat, and
have to sleep out in the cool
night air on the ground
it is not very pleasant, as
you will judge.  In daytime
it is very warm & in the night
it is very cold.  I cannot con
cieve what makes it so.  Ah!
Mother, a soldier's life
 is a hard-life yet we
are all willing to endure
these hardships & privations
if this rebellion only can
be brought to a speedy te-
rmination.  McClellan has aban-
doned his position on the

[page 4]
James River and has fal-
len back to Williamsburg.
We do not think that this in
dicates a speedy close of
the war.  Well, I hope you
are done harvesting & have
finished the threshing.  You
must not think that you are
having hard times for you
do not know anything about
hard times in Ills.  Farmers here
know what hard times is But
remember that Hank says to be
careful about going in debt.
I tell you, this war is not over and
that harder times are coming.
Farewell for this time & write
soon,     Affectionately, W. H. Redman
                           Love to all.
Direct as before

[upside down in top margin of pages 1 & 2]

Tell the boys to be careful about the grain & to put up lots of
hay, fix up stables and do all their work up in order-
Keep a plenty of grain for your own use.   W.H.R.    

William H. Redman, Co. C, 12th Illinois Cavalry       
MSS 7415

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