Camp Heintzelman near Poosville MdApr 22d 1863My dear Wife:-

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I wrote to you last monday (the 20th) and having some spare time I thought I would write again this evening, though have not muct to write about. Our life here is a sort of monotary generally one thing over and over again, with an occasional [       ]. I had a [sermon] in my Hospital last evening. The mounted patrole brought an officer into the Hospital drunk and pretending to be crazy. When I come to see him I see he was shaming it, and it took them of the [mines] to hold him he being a very powerful man. In the first place he had no business there any way, in the next place I could not have his disturbance there and I told that he must be quiet which he refused to do in very abusive language, and threatened to kick me. I told him if he did I would send him to []. At this he planted both his feet in my breast, I can tell you I never was so angry in my life, and I turned to and kicked him until he was glad to cry enough, and I told you I kicked him with a will. He was so sore this morning that he could hardly move

This morning I told Col Jewett what I had done He told me that I [     ] just right and I was justified in doing as I did, and wished I had given him some extra kicks. To day I had a long talk with the fellow, and you may believe he bapunitant enough.

Apr 23. It commenced raining in the night last night and it has rained all day harder than you ever see it rain except for a short spirt, and it is now pouring down a perfect torrent. But here I am simply [      ] in my tent with a good fire and a full belly, thinking of my dear one at home, and how much I should like to be with them. My duties are much more than they have been. One of the regiments that was in our Brigade has been ordered to Washington, and they left their sick in the Brigade Hospital, 20 in numbers, & they are all quite sick, and I have charge of them. But my dear I am good for the duties assigned me.

We dont see any thing of the Pay Master yet & we dont know when we shall. We are all suffering for the want of some money. But it is no use to to put [   ] meant to [    ] our disappointments as well as we can. We come expect to remain where we are all summer, but there is no telling

We are still under marching orders yet. At the time we were ordered to prepare to march, we have since heard that every regiment this side of the Rappahanack had the same orders.

Mrs Dr Childe is here in Camp, and I like her very much. I think the Dr has made an excelent choice. To sit down and have a chat with her relieves the monotony of Camp life very much She is full of brilliant sparkling wit and good sense. When I see the pleasent and quiet happiness they seem to enjoy it creates a powerful yearnings to be with you, and hope this War may soon play out so we can once more be together. I would never forgo the comforts of my home even if not for the purpose of accomplishing my life long desire, to [     ] to my family a home of their own, and may God grant that I may live long enough to do that. When I can see you in a home of your own my cup of happiness will be sweetened if not full, for to have it full I want see our children educated and settled in life. 28th. The storm has cleared off and this morning is a beautiful summer morn. I should have had this finished before this but the mail could not go out, the stream being so high that it was and is now impossible to ford them. There are no such things as bridges in this county.

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I think some of going to Washington tomorrow to get my Quarterly supply of Medicines. I have waited till now to be paid off I could send home my money by express, but I dont see as the pay master is ever coming. I shall try and get my pay while in the City - and in fact it is the main object of my going. Dr Childe thinks I can get my pay in this way, he did his. If I can get my pay up to the first of May it will look hard on to 800$ and to have this all in a lump would help us very much just now.

I am going to Whites Ford to day. We have some men on duty there, then I go to [Manouary]. I have not far from 30 miles to ride to day. We have only 18 men sick in our regiment. My weekly report has just been made out for the week ending last evening. If I go to Washington I will write from there.

Remember me to our dear Children - and all our friends. Accept a life long faithful love for yourself from

Your affectionate
HusbandJ. C. Rutherford