1862 October 9 Williamsport, Md.

        Williamsport, Md
         Oct. 9th 1862

Dear Sisters:
          Your welcome
letters came safely to
my hand yesterday and
I tell you I read them over
in double-quick time.
I was so glad to hear from
home once more that I
read them over three or
four times before stopping.
I am well today and feel
like as though I could
go into another battle.
We are not doing much
just now and the weather
is very warm.  We drilled
a little while this morning
and I never saw our horses
feel much better.

[page 2]
Since we received our pay
a good many of the boys
have been having a spree
and it keeps us sober
boys busy to keep them
straight and then we cant
do it. I put two in the
"lock-up" at Williamsport to-
day.  Some of them have
spent nearly all their money
already, and we were only
paid on the 6h I believe.
Well dear girls I was truly
glad to hear that you
were getting along so well
at home.  I was glad
that Father had so much
wheat and that it brings
such a price as it does
I think now that he can
get nearly out of debt
I can send him money
to pay his taxes this winter

[page 3]
It is my only troubles
that he may get out
of debt.  I think we
have been slaves to
others long enough.
You seem to be enjoying
yourselves at  home
This pleases me for
I do not want you to
make yourselves any troub
le on my account.  I dont
think you are sorry now
that I enlisted last
winter.  I was not scared
into the army by a draft.
Neither was I bought
with a bounty, but
I entered the Service
voluntarily. Yes I did and thank
God for it too No man
can ever say to me that I enlist-
ed for anything else than
to fight for my country

[page 4]
All these questions will
be brought up for dis-
cussion at some future
day Yes, and they will
have some bearing upon
some man's success
at that time.  Ah, Hank
is not of the "last call."
I emphatically denounce
all able bodied young
men who are not in
the Army now unless
they have been prevented
by their parents.  And
a Father who would
not let his Son go
in to the Army now
ought not to be allow-
ed to live int he North.
And those men who
find so much fault
there at home about
how this war is being
carried on and who
talk so much Secesh
ought to hang as high as Haman.

[page 5]
Now these are my
sentiments and ought
to be every loyal man's
sentiments.  I don't care
who he is or where he
lives--I say a traitor
ought to die, and
more especially, a Northern
traitor. I do ask of
you at home never
for my sake, do
you bestow any favors
to those who hint
Secesh principles
and for the respect
of your friends in the
Army don't ever re-
cognize one in company.
Don't ever tell a traitor
that I am a friend
to him.  Ah, I would rather
court the friendship of a dog.

[page 6]
Well I was really
glad to hear that you
enjoyed the Fair so
well, Em; and wish
that Jane & I could
have been there.  What
did all of those old School
mates say about Hank.
I am glad you have
found my books but
I want you to see Oneal's
and learn what the troub-
le was about the rent.
I do not owe them a red
and I want you to get my H. Algebra from Hat.
O'Neal, Pay Hat all she
claims and then be sure
to tell her that I said
that I do not owe her
a red cent.  If now
you can pay the prin-
cipals some, do so.  I would

[page 7]
like to have them paid.
Have you heard from
them?  Yes, I received
those papers; but not
the stamps.  I have
not heard from Crum
for many months
but one since I left
home.  You cannot
send me anything that
would be of any use to
me here.  I have my
testament.  I had it
in my pocket. Yes,
Jane, I intend to give traitors when
ever a chance is offer
ed "Blixum": Well, Jane,
you can put up with not
going to the fair when
I do not get to go
any place not even
to church at all.

[page 8]
This is a very lone-
some place when a
person once thinks
of how he might enjoy
himself at home. But
I can endure all these
privations til the war
is over.  You must
write to me soon and
tell me all the news again
Em you better try to get
a School.  try to get a home
school house and not too
many skullers.  Give my
love to all inquiring friends
remembering that I acknowl-
edge no traitors as friends
Well girls live true Chris-
tians and die for Heaven
and I will by the
grace
of God meet you there.
It is very hard to live
a Christian life here
but I will "do right"
I am your Affectionate
            Brother
               W H Redman
Write soon
P.J. and S.E. Redman

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

MSS 7415