12 October 1861

Camp Newton
October 12, 1861

Dear Father,

We returned from picket this morning. We had a cold, rainy night of it. I sat & stood up most all night & kept as dry as I could by the aid of a good camp fire. I received 3 pair, Hod & Parker two each, of stockings but no dried peaches or apples. Capt. [John] Whitlock & Sergeant [George] Wolcott have gone to Ithaca today, They went before I was aware of it.

We have got all of the stockings that we shall want for this winter. I treaded my white shirts for knit undershirts. If you could have an iron put on the heels of our boots, they would last longer & not run over—a thin band set in the out[er] edge of the heel. Major Deo had his fixed the way we want them when he was at work on the new building so Hod says ask him. They don’t want to be made like horse shoes. Be sure & send us each a pair of light buckskin gloves if they are to be found for we can pay for them. You know those that you sent are good for this time of the year.

Put in half a dozen red peppers to make pepper sauce to eat on meat. Parker is being blessed with boils.

Private. Lieutenant [Hiram W.] Jackson said that he intended to get a furlough to go home about Christmas or New Years & said that if I could write to you & have you enlist a half a dozen men for this regiment & have them promise to come at that time, if I came out after them, he thought I could get a furlough to go home & stay 10 days. You can do as you like about it. If you want to see me & can find that number or more of good fellows, I can come with him as a recruiting officer. Say nothing about it & write what you think.

There has been some regiments on the move of late. Be sure & send Hod 2 pairs of drawers if they are to be found in the place.

Who operated on Old John and how is he getting along?

The nights are cold but we have got the best tent. Take it all together, I think [it the best] that there is in the company. Co. C  in our regiment is filling up quite fast. What did Charles Butts say when he got back from Washington? I heard this evening that the 26th Regiment had moved and were but a short distance from us. If so, I shall try & see them. Several of our boys are a going to be discharged from the service, not being able to stand it, but I am not one of the number. The doctor has given me but one dose of medicine & that was for the diarrhea before we came across the river.

October 13th.  Before daylight orders are to get our breakfast & 24 hours rations & be under arms as soon as possible. Look out for fun soon. Direct as you did your last.

— Chas. E. Bradley