1862 September 9 Camp Comfort

                                       Camp Comfort
                                      Sept 9th 1862
                               Dear Wife
Yours of the 5th came duly to hand
and more than glad was I to receive
it  But was un easy to find
reading it to find your Health was
very poorly  My Health was never
better than it is at present besides
I am gaining flesh  Our journey
from Harrisons Landing was acclom
ded [accomplished?] in safety to all on our route
we had free access to the Secesh
Cornfields  C[?] & Landers
indulging ourselves with many a
little delicacies we had not tasted
for many a day  Our present
encampment is at Hampton once
called a Beautiful place but on
the breaking out of the Rebellion was

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destroyed by fire the work of the enemy
hardly a building was left standing
In front of our camp are about 20
Buildings erected by Government
and used as Hospital they cover
about 20 acres of ground and are
nearly filled with sick and wounded
Fortress Monroe is about 1 1/2 miles and
within sight from camp and every
hour in the day we can hear the
booming of Cannons either from the
Fort or from the Guns of our Frigates
laying in the stream Occasionally
I make a reconnaissance int the country
returning with my Haversack filled
with the fruits of the season
In regards to my Box I am still
in the dark.  The capt. has made
every effort to gain some tidings of
it and others as there are a number
somewhere but when I gain some
tidings of its whereabouts I will inform

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you  Rumors of War prevail in
camp Each Day brings to us either
Victory or Defeat But the End is
not yet Excuse me for writing so
little as my time is not all my own
Tell Father and Mother not to worry
on my account  That Brighter Days
may yet be in store for us all and
that we may all live to meet again
on earth and seeing the Stars and
Stripes wave in undisputed security
in every house top in America
God bless and Protect you all is
my prayer  I remain your loving husband
                 Edward Sheppard
7th New York Independent Battery
care Capt P C Regan
                    Fortress Monroe, Va.

MSS 12631