I have got most tired
waiting for a letter from you, so
I will write a few lines to you.
If you knew how much we soldiers
think of letters from friends you
would write to me oftener. We
have seen some service for a
week past. A week ago today our
whole rgt. went out to Edsells Hill
on picket. This is a high hill 4 or 5
miles from here toward Springfield.
It was occupied by the rebels about
six weeks ago but they were shelled

off by the guns from Fort Worth. By the
way it is Fort Worth instead of Ward
as I wrote you before near which we are
camped. We marched out Friday
A.M. & staid 4 days. Took our blankets
& 4 days rations with us but no
tents, so we built shanties of boughs.
Our Co. was on picket Monday P.M.
& night. The line of pickets was over
one mile beyond where we camped
& extending thro the woods. The posts
are about 150 yds. apart I had a post
with 3 men in some thick bushes.
I had to keep awake all night & could
have no fire. We saw no rebels & had
no alarms, tho they said there were
two Co’s..of rebels within half mile of
us part of the night. We got back here
to our camp Tuesday in the P.M. at
11o’clock. That night we were called
out by the long roll & marched
back to the hill, then R.I & N.Y.regts
went with us. when we got there

all was quiet. A battery of regulars
& some cavalry went with us also.
We expected to have a fight sure. After
we had been there about 20 min. our Co
was ordered back as an escort for
Gen. Sumner. He selected our Co. as
he said it was the best looking
one in the rgt. quite an compliment
from our commanding General.
We got back here to bed again at
3 o’clock in the morning as soon as
it was light we were routed out and
marched back onto the hill again.
I was supposed that the rebels were
making an advance on our lines.
I wish they had because we were all ready
for them. After dinner, finding there
was chance for a brush we all march-
ed back. I felt some tired when I [---?]
had had only 2 hours sleep for 2
night & 25 miles marching. A balloon
went up ½ mile from here Tuesday P.M.
We saw beside the road as we were

coming home. It is sure that a large
body of rebels were discovered from it
moving this way & so we were ordered out
there by Gen. McClellan. This brigade has
got to do the picketing then each regt
taking its turns. We are having very pleasant
weather now. While we were on picket it
seemed like August. It was much
to warm for comfort. We have battalion
drill now every day A.M. & P.M. Col. Cross
has gone to Washington some say to
get this regt. transferred to some other
brigade . If he does probably we shall go on
an expedition hope we shall.

Geo. Blake M.D. & Sherburn P. were here
yesterday. Sherburn left Raymond only
last Monday so I had news right from
home. Dr. Geo. is one of the Sanitary Committee.
He is inspector in Gen.Heintzelman’s
division. He said if any of us Raymond boys
are sick to let him know & he would
come out & see us. He thought these
would be our winter quarters. I hope not.
We were paid off last week I got 17 dollars
one month pay. The first of Jan. we will
be paid off again & get two months pay
& new clothes throughout. My health is
perfect. I wrote to Jas. yesterday. Hope
I shall hear from you soon. I don’t
feel homesick a bit . Give my love to all.