1862 August 28 Camp Lyon

Camp Lyon Va. Aug. 28th/62

Dear parents
                                 I have sated long and anxiously for
a letter from you but have recieved none since I returned
from Richmond, and for a long time before.  I recieved the
last letter from you at White House landing sometime in
June and I have heard but very little news from home since
I hear ,by way of Sam D. that you got a letter from me while
I was a prisoner and the Capt. told me you wrote to him to find
out where I was this is all I have heard from you since June
you can judge from your own feelings how I have felt by
not hearing from you I hope if you have not written that
you will write as soon as you get this without fail tell me
all the particulars how you get along. My health is not very
good I am not fit for duty. I am afraid I have got a disease on
the kidneys the doctors will not tell me what ails me but
they say I am not able to do duty, my victuals distress me
very bad I have told the Capt I wanted my discharge but
but [sic] he does not do any thing about it. For the past three weeks
McClellan's army had had a long hard march from Harrissons
landing to Newport News where they took the transports and
came up to reinforce Pope our division has stoped here for
the present and we may stop here for some time we are
now camped near the old fort Lyon that we helped build
and according to appearances I think we shall be stationed
here.  War matters look dark and gloomy at present the rebels
are getting very bold but I think our army will soon teach
them a lesson they have never yet learned we are all
anxiously waiting the result of this campain which if
successfull will do a great deal twords closing the war
If I had known this war would have continued so long
I should not have left home for I have come to the
conclusion that it was my duty to stay at home but the
error cannot now be corrected,  The new Regts are arriving
I have seen some of the members of the 16th Me. but I have
not heard where the 17th is yet I should be glad to see
some of them if I could find them I may be lucky

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enough to find them yet  I cannot write much
this time and there is no news of importance to write
do not fail to write me all the particulars how you
are getting along and if you need any more money
tell me so and I will send it to you I am getting tired
and must close Tell Walter I think of him quite
often and he must try and take care of the things
and make the steers grow up as fast as he can

                       From your son
                                      Hiram M. Cash

Hiram Cash,  Co. K, 5th Maine

MSS 12916