Camp near Falmouth, VA

Saturday March 28th, 1863

Got a letter from “joey” who said not to desert and come home “but when I read her letter I had a mind to desert and come home for all her advice. She said that you had a bean regular every Sunday night but come to find out she is a split tail like herself his name she says is Mrs. Sarah Graff you must be carful [sic] or else you might get into trouble with such a bean. I have had one of the same kind call upon me the other day her name was Mr George Reiser he came and took dinner with me he looks the same as ever onley [sic] his front teeth is most all gone I wonder how Josey would like to see her old flame again he asked about her and why she never answered his many letters.”

They had a review and another is ordered for today but he thinks they won’t have it because it is raining too hard. Rumor that “if Hooker crossed the River the fifth Armey [sic] Corps would remain where they are to hold Acuia Creek and we are in that Corp. some of the 14^th boys came over to our Corp after Review and they said the 146 Beat all the rest of the troops on marching we were reviewed close by their Camp we had the worst Batalion [sic] Drill yesterday we ever had some mistake that our officers made while on Review made our Col so mad that Imeadiately [sic] after arriveing [sic] in Camp he ordered a Batation [sic] Drill. I tell you he gave us a sweater he said while drilling us that the men were not to blame it was the Officers and he wanted to see them do Better. “ Puts the letter aside and comes back to say they had to go for wood down at Potomac Creek and it was raining so hard “the men were swearing like Pirates because they had to go in the Rain the Boys have it prety [sic] hard now there is drill twice a day and wood to be got Policeing the Camp grounds so it hardley [sic] gives them any time to themselves they have to go about a mile after wood and back it up a pretty steep hill it is for the Captain and Company Cooks.” The health of the Regiment is good. They hear they will get four months pay in a day or two. He wants to know how she gets along for money. “I am dreadfuly [sic] afraid you are Pinching yourself I wonder if the Children would know me if they could see me now that is what makes me feel very bad to think if Ever I live to come out of this Cruel war my Children will not know me yet I have some hopes that Ida will remember me if I had onley [sic] of known that they want a going to draft I should have been to home this day with my loved ones”.