Civil War letters at Middlebury College

my Place much I do not have to fight any but get a good place and work on [Irish?] [Hammond?] could get [Clear?] of it to but he has to go in and Stand His luck Excuse the writing as I am in a hury and there is no news of importance I will Close when you write [with?] all of the news Give my love to all tell John to write me as I should like to here from very much - No more Good Night From Your Friend W^m M^cKeand

Direct

Head Quarters [Horses?] Div South Corps

Washington D.C.

newd to write I expect you have hered of the death of Billy Talbert He was bured about two weeks ago He has been sick a long time. At last we have a [illegible] rail road from Broad to line Sts & East Bay is being paved and a few Houses going up in difrent parts of the city. Christmas Has come and gone with no unusual change only they celerbrated it by fireing canons & crackers & Fire works & the blowing of Horns. The [illegible] talk is Jack Sheaperd the great walker He is at the Club House He has a match to walk one Hundred Hours with out any vest. He commenced last Tuesday Evening (at 6 o clock) and finishes on Saturday night at (10) o clock. I think I have told you all the news and will close hopeing soon to here from you. I hope you will eicuse my Haste

I remain as Ever. Your friend

C H Town

Oct 2d Nagesstown M.D. Sept Friend Eliza I have just rec"d your letter and was glad to hear from you I had almost began to think you had forgotten to answer me but this is the first mail we have had for ten days I supose you have herd of the great Battle at Antietem and at the Cumberland Pass at the latter our Core done all the Fighting and won a splendid Victory we charged up the mountain driving the Rebels before us like sheep and took 1400 Prisoners and one brass gun The next day we had a rest and the day following we marched for Sharpsburg Just in time for the battle which had began and raiged Fiercly Our Brigade was Ordered

To the right but the Centre being driven back we had to Double quick back to the Centre the Rebs were driving our men back when our Brigade wheeled into line and and pressed forward on the Double Quick and drove the enemy from the ground they had just gained and held it not to be given up at this time the Canonading was Feerfall the musketing was also deafning and the air was filled with shells and balls thus it raiged all day and at night as though by mutual consul all firing seased the next day was spent in buring the dead and by this means the Rebs made good their retreat the following morning all was gone except the wounded the field was covered withe the dead

And wounded it was an awful sight to behold it is by far the hardest fought field of the war we are more doing duty as [?] Guards in Nagesstown There is no troops here but ours and I think we will stay here for some time whe had six wounded and one killed Tho latter boy killed by the side of [?] he was a Colour bearer [?] + well excepting [?] [?] on his arm which excuses him from Duty The boys are in good spirrits and hope they will be permitted to stay here the [?] of the war I have written all the new and will close Give my love to all the family and write soon From Your Friend [?] Mc[?]

[The next Letter you write [4 words illegible?] that letter that [Lieut?] Welch wrote to Walter I dont see why John didnt let me see it in [N. S. Gov 19?]. I want you to write all the news ^you know and send me some [2 words illegible?] that you dont want. In regard to paying for that land you need not be alarmed for at the time my time is up I shall have $342 coming to me. I hope you will send me some ^stamps. Give my love to muv and all the rest. Write soon [?] Oblige Your Affectionate Brother George

Direct to E. A. Quilty 2^d Co. Garrison Guard Conscript Camp New Haven Conn

why John dont go to [illegible] [illegible] or of the [illegible] doing at all Spend $5 to get Clara a presant and I hope she will play me a tune on the Piano when I get home to pay for it [illegible] once she need not Kepp Clara away from her music for fear not having money enough to pay for her [illegible] I shall send enough to pay for her and as much as I [illegible] am going to get some [illegible] [illegible] when I get in to Band [illegible] and will [illegible] send some home and when I get home I will get one with [illegible] As for my going off you needn't be at all alarmed as I only did it

to scare you a little. I received the [illegible] and was glad to get it I will return it . I found out we were [illegible] [illegible] was and went to see [illegible] who would I meet there I went in the door of [illegible] who should I meet but the veritable Shelton? himself who very pleased to see me and for an introduction to his [illegible] Fine one of the merchants about then in regard to the [illegible] Family and they said he wasnt very wealthy and what little he had got was cheating they said he was the greatest cheat in [illegible] If ever and that is saying a good deal so much for

for Shelford. I havant had time to look for Charles [illegible] yet but will soon. Shelton's having on military was only a Sham he was on business for his farther. Pen my love to all Geo Quilty

[S Garisons C- Landing??], July the 25

My Dear friend

presumeing on old friendship which at least on my part was highly valued. I take the liberty to send you a few lines hoping it will be aceptable to let you know how I am getting on. we are still on the James River and expect to remain here some time our Regiment was pretty well used up at Savage Statian My principal friend Clark Bowen was taken prisoner I feel very lonesome without him Hamond and I are very often together when duty alows it