Letter to Sarah Garibaldi (Poor)

Scope and content:

Written from "Camp near Bunker Hill," West Virginia. Letter regards life in camp.

Language:

English

Other descriptive data:

Camp near Bunker Hill, October 24, 1862

Dear Wife
With these few line I wish to let you know that I am well and hope that when these few lines will come to hands, may find you enjoying the same blessings. I arrived here yesterday morning safe. We had to walk from Staunton to this place, about one hundred and fifteen miles distant. It is the general opinion of the men and officers that we shall not stay here long, that we shall either advance again into Maryland or retreat back up the Valley on account that we are too far from any railroad branch, and can't get [means] for transportation. There is no yankee of any amount on this side of the Potomac.

I haven't any news to tell you at this time. I haven't been in the camp long enough to learn any. The boys here are as lively as crickets, just as lively as if it was in time of peace, or as if they were at home. There is thirty four men in our compnay fit for duty. Our company makes up near half of the regiment, it is no more than a good company the whole regiment. They nearly all deserted or went home on a French. There is some few sick and wounded but not many. There was only twelve in the Battle of Sharpsburg in Maryland out of our regiment. The balance remained behind, and the most of them never went across the river. Patrick [Hai----], that use to work up on the mountain is dead. He was wounded in the late battle of Manassas in one of his knees and died.

Every thing is quiet here in the Camp. Dear I could not even buy me a sheet of paper in Winchester to write to you. There is none to be bought. The boys are writing on paper that they have captured on the battle field. When ever you write to me you must send me a blank sheet of paper in your letter. The boys say that we shall soon have our pay and if so, I will send you some. Dear I would like to see you, and feel lonesome for you. Give my best respects to mother, Russia, [illegible] and to all the enquiring friends. So nothing more at present but to reamin you affectionate husband untill death.
John Garibaldi.

Subjects:

Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Infantry Regiment, 27th
Correspondence

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