Joseph Spafford to Mary Jane Spafford
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Miss M. J. Spafford
Upper FallsVermont
Camp SewardNear Washington D. C.Saturday Nov. 1st 62Dear Sister,
I have been so busy that I have not found time to write for a number of days but
as I was on guard last night (the 2d time I have been on
since we went into camp at Brattleboro) I am free from all duty to day so now
after I have taken my nap I am going to write a few lines to you. We struck our
tents on capitol hill day before yesterday & marched to this place, crossing
long bridge & marching up the river on the Va side about 4 miles. We are now
about half
way between Washington & Camp Griffin where we stoped
last winter. The weather is beautiful. Probably we shall not stop here long but
I cannot tell. To day we got orders about 10 o’clock to pack everything & be
ready to march in half an hour. We got all ready & was just going to strike
our tents when the order was countermanded, & we are waiting now not knowing
what will be the next order. We may stay here a month or we may leave in the
morning. The Vt Cavalry are encamped about 2 mls from us, I have seen a number
of the boys but none of the boys that I know. I am keeping a very brief kind
of a Journal which I shall copy and send you sometime if I find
time, as Homer & I used to correspond you know. I thought prehaps you would
like to see exactly how we are getting along each day. I got me a boy (not a
nig) while we were coming from Capitol hill here.
While we were resting near long bridge 3 boys came to me & asked me if I
would not take one of them along with me. They said they had no place to stop,
that they had no parents living, & that they had been staying in Washington
for some time past. I asked the Capt if he was willing
to take one
along with us & he said he did’nt care so I told one of them I would take
him. The others then were more anxious than ever to go. I told them to ask any
of the Officers they saw if they would take them. They did so, & Capt Foster
(Ludlow Co) took one & Capt Dix the other so the three are with us in camp.
They are all smart boys & enjoy it finely. I think I have got the best one,
& when I come home I shall take him along with me. His name sounds Irish but
he has no brogue & is a smart little fellow. He is 13 years old, rather
raged but not dirty, & is as polite as a basket of
chips. I
shall as soon as possible get him some cloths. I think I can get them to fit him
at the Q.M.’s. If I was at home I would have you make him a suit like Capt A’s
‘darkie. I like him much better than I would a nigger. If I ever have a chance I
will have his picture taken & send you. He said his father died about a
month ago & since that time he had been getting his living among the
soldiers at W-.
I suppose George will be along next Tuesday. I think he will enjoy this life but
cannot tell. Where is Sophia going to stop? I could not
think of
anything I wanted that I did not take so I sent for nothing by Geo.-
The boys are all well & enjoying it nicely. Az says that he should want
another bounty of $100 to induce him to go back to F. & stay. He plays the
bass drum in our drum corps so has very little to do. Brink is getting quite
reconciled & is having a pretty good time. I will send you a list of the
ones that I want you to send or give my pictures to & you can give them to
who else you please. I want you to send me one of yours as soon as you get some
as good as the old one of yours.
I shall write you as often as I
have time to, but you know I cannot write so often when we are moving every day
or two as when we stop in one place all the time, it seems to break up all the
time I have not yet recd a letter from home since we left B-, but look for one
to night. – My health is as good as it has been any time since I came home &
better of the two. I have slept with nothing but my rubber blanket between me
& the ground all the time so far & have not got a bit of cold. I will
write no more to day. Love to father & mother. Write me often. Love to all
enquiring friends.
As Every Your Aff. BrotherJo.
All the boys from our direction are perfectly well.
P.S. I forgot to tell you my boys name, tis Daniel McOrlif
P.S.2nd Since writing this letter Theod. Hutchinson has visited our camp. He looks tought & well.
Direct to
Co. E 16 Regt Vt. Vol.
Washington D. C.