1862 October 3 Dam No. 5 Maryland

     Dam No 5, Maryland
                Oct 3d 1862
Dear Parents
                       I have not
yet received any letters
from you.  but thought
that I would continue
to write you, as perhaps
your letters are miscar-
ried or I would get them
i have not been very
well for two or three days
but am considerable bet-
ter this morning, and think
that I will be able for
duty again tomorrow.
this is the first time
that I have been exempt
ed from duty since I have
been in the service.

[page 2]
We are still without tents
and the necessary equip
ments which we lost.
but the quartermaster
has promised to furnish them
for us soon.  If he does not
we shall refuse duty for
we cannot do without them
much longer.  It is now very
cool of nights and a
heavy dew falls.
  As yet we are doing
picket duty along the banks
of the Potomic; but how
soon we shall move I can
not tell.  Yesterday we heard
heavy cannonading in
direction of Winchester, Va.
and we conclude that
another advance is being
made.  God  knows.  I hope
that we may move on Richmond
                                 soon

[page 3]
for it is very certain
that we must rout them
our of their capital be
fore this war will close
  But I did hear yesterday
that Jeff Davis has made
a proposition to Lincoln
for peace, yet it was
on conditions It is
very true that I would
like to have this war ter
minate and get back
home to enjoy the lib-
erties and pleasures of
quiet life again but
nevertheless I say ac
cept of no condition
and let there be no
peace until every
traitor lays down
his arms and returns to
his allegiance with a willing
                       heart.

[page 4]
You need not look for let
ters from me as I may
not have a chance to
send them.  I will write
as often as convenient
and you all must do the
same.  Give my regards to
all inquiring friends and
tell them that I am here
with a willing and de
termined heart to help put
down this rebellion.
  If I could get my pay I could
send you near $100 but
I cannot tell when we shall
get it.  If you get a good
chance sell "Old Nig" &
dont keep any more stock
on hands then you need
and keep all the corn that
you can for it will certain
ly be high there next spring
as it is worth 62 cts here
now and it is scarce at that
price.  Do try to pay all the
debts you can this fall &
dont go in debt.  Dont forget
to pay one dollar to the editors of
the Mirror and 7 dollars to Landon
I want to know how you stand with
Crawford and whether you got
those notes or not.  Tell me all
about your business affairs
I must close Love to all the
family  your affectionate Son
                        W. H. Redman
Eli and Catharine Redman


William Henry Redman, Co. C., 12th Illinois Cavalry

MSS 7415