Letter to Henry A. Bitner | ||
1862-01-18
Jan. 18, 1862
Old friend— It is
very seldom that I have to apolo=
gize for any failure in punctu=
ality in answering correspondents,
but have not been as punctual as
usual in answering your last,
(forwarded to me to Camp
Chase
at Columbus) from the fact th
we have never known until now
how long we would remain in
Camp or
where we would be
ordered to.
You will perceive by this time
that I am again in the service
soldiering since the fifth of Nov.
I resigned my situation in
Darke Co. and quit the business
of teaching the young idea
how to shoot, in order
to learn how to shoot (secessionists)
myself. O Lord! what men
will do for glory, beans, bacon
and $17 per month! I am
writing this on the soldier's
writing desk, i.e. a board 18
inches square placed upon my
knees.
We are provided with very
good quarters here—regular
barracks—and plenty of beans, ba=
con,
hominy, and other luxuries.
but alas! how fleeting is all
earthly
happiness! We are or=
dered to leave next week for
we will be in "Dixie's Land."
The only thing about the busi=
ness I don't like is
that it de=
prives us of the pleasure of that
time honored institution—"sparking
Sunday night." I haven't been
within 6 feet of a piece of cali=
co for two
months. Ugh! Think
of that old fellow, and the next
time you go to see
your—what's
her name?—just give her a smack
on those
rosy lips of hers for me.
Well, sir, the tattoo is beating and I
must
attend roll call.
As taps will beat in 20 minutes
and all lights must be extinguished
I
must now close. My respects to
the friends and compliments to
the
ladies—especially your Angelia
Seraphina. Hope you will
for a few weeks will be
Co. E. 11th Reg. O.V.U.S.A.
Point Pleasant, Virginia
Care of Capt. Douglas."
Letter to Henry A. Bitner | ||