Monday, August 27, 2012

1862 August 27 Alexandria, Va.

Alexandria August 27th '62

Dear Mother
It has been
some time since I have
written to you but one
letter has to do for the
whole family when I am
on the move & even now
we have no tents to shelter
us from the sun all day
or the dews at night still
we are cheerful & happy
we expect to be sent up
the R.R. to Mannassa
in a day or two & when
there you will not have
any chance of hearing
from me because they do
not allow any mail to
go either way.  the tide of
War seems to be going

[page 2]
against us but still we
are ready & willing to fight
I am glad that we are to be
reinforced by those that
have been staying at home
while we have been at
work here for fifteen months
It is a wonder that Mrs
Spaulding could let her
son enlist as a private
at this late day if he had
come when I did his
time would have been
out in eight moths but
now he has three years
or during the war.  How
does Mrs Lake & Hull feel
about having their sons
going to the wars they
go at a time when it
is no honor to go but
they go for fear of being
drafter & I am glad of it


[page 3]
they are so selfish their
sons are so much better
than any one's elses they
come at a time when
they will have plenty of
work to do for I have no
doubt but by the time this
reaches you we shall be
face to face with the
enemy but I hope that I
am prepared for the worst
but thus far I think that
God has blessed me f[ar]
beyond all of my expect=
tations all of which I feel
thankful for.  I am glad
that I came a soldiering
when I did.  does Augustus
or Edwin have any idea of
enlisting if so tell them
that they must make up
their minds to hard work
& that if they can get a

[page 4]
commission that they had
better do so.  I do not know
where Parker is but have no
fears of his safety & that he
will soon be back to the Reg
It seems like getting back
home to get here.  I enjoy
the best of health & have
been able to keep up on
all of the last six days
marching.  I hear that
martin Beers is offering
one or two Hundred Doll
for a substitute rather than
come himself poor fellow
he has started twice & backed
out each time. I think he is
a coward.  If Father has
not sent my box tell him
to do so.  We expect to leave
here tomorrow but I will try
& get a letter through to you
as often as I can.  Write often
for we may get them.  From your
Affectionate son
                   Chs. E. Bradley

[in side margin of page 1]
If either of the boys think of enlisting
& have to come as a private tell them
to go into the navy

[upside down in top margin of page 1]
Late orders has just been
given to be ready to march
at a moments moments notice.

Charles Ellery Bradley, 1842-1915, Co. I  32nd New York

MSS 9728


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