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Camp Griffin Decr. 20th 1861 Friend Eliza I received your welc-omb letter sometime ago and would have answered it before but I have been laid up for two weeks with a feaver and have just got so I can scribble The news of you Mothers sickness caused me much ------------pain for I now she could not endure much and yet arround I could not have felt worse if it was my own Mother when I think how kind she has been to me it all most make me wish I was there I am getting strong now one spell thy thought I would have to go to the hospital There is a Battle about five miles from here they have sent for the second and Fifth Regts-
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if John comes out Lt Lee will have a good time so will Geo. for Drumers have nothing to do but stay in camp Camp life is a life far different than any other life you enjoy all the there is in a forest life you are away from the busy care and tumult of a city you see nothing but ^guns what was the work of nature you can see the beautiful parade Grand before our Camp The Hills sourrounding are breathing with canon the woods and every aval-ible place are lined with huts built by the Soldiers in all it is a grand scene but when I come to think of home and the happy days spent by me I begin to think there is no place like Home but it is very seldom that my head is turned that way the boys say I am the
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Merry fellow in the company when will the rave some comfort since I been sick they say they can sleep without being smoked out --- I have played some tricks on them and if anything is done Bill done it our Boys went out in great spirits in the anticipaof a Fight and they will do the fighting if there is any to be done they are a head they will have The First lick at them Wm Hale is well Jo. Falkner is our Pickett duty to day all The rest are well as far as I --- know excuse this miseable writing as my hand is not steady yet Give my love to all write soon tell Ed to write and I will answer Good by From You friend CoB 2nd Vt Regt Washington DC Wm Mc Keand