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County Coordinators:  J. W. Johnson and Allison Saxman
Webmaster:  Allison Saxman

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The Alabama AlGenWeb Archives

Camp Near Mannassa          Jan 16th 1862

Mr. Musgrove

        I have written once or twice since I have heard from you but I
shall not be formal with you. it does seem to me that I ought to hear from
you all oftener than I do.

        We have not got into our houses yet the weather being so that we
could not work much outdoors but we are that all the time just having our
tents and at this time there is a coat of snow and sleet over them three
inches thick.

        We have the walls of our houses up and one covered west of the
daubed and chimny built. the bords are five or six mils[miles] off and the
roads are so that it is impossible to go with an empty waggon. we carry all
the wood that we burn about a mile and then it is not plentiful. it is a
dull hard time here now.

        every thing inactive except the hunting whiskey. some will leave
camp after roll call which is at 8 o'clock and be gone all night, just
getting in a reville in the morning and just get a quart of whisky. it sell
very well here now. if it could be had I believe the prices range from
three to six dollars per qt and easy sale. Christmas start off quietly to
increase in ____ance ever since, and it is got to that pitch now that
something will have to be done to put a stop to it. this is not been the
case in in our company half as much as it has in some of the others but
still this company is not and never have been alowed the privilege of the
ballance and I think it was owing to the orders of our former officers.

        I suppose every thing like military movements are at an end for
some time although late northern news is indicative of forward movement. I
have heard that though until I have little or no confidence in them at all
but, still say let them come if they ever intend to do so.

        Time you have gathered your crop. I have not heard anything about
it. last summer you said that you thought you would make enough to do you.
I suppose that your grist mill will help you out a greatdeal. I would like
to hear how you have fixed your ran[or race] and dam for I have entertained
fears that it would be trouble when the water gets up.

        This would be a dull time really if we would not get a few papers.
we buy them here at ten cts from news agents. Richmond Dispatch is the
favorite. I believe we get New Orleans, Augusta papers but such a thing as
a book is almost unknown. I wish I could have some good books to read while
I have nothing to do.

        I am of the oppinion that there will be a war with England and the
United States before the opening of Spring or rather from what news I can
gather that is almost inevitable now and the whole world are down on the
Administration of the Federal Government, but let us not be silent and
inactive for in March, April & May the twelve months volunteers time will
be up and I suppose the most of them will go home if not to stay in the
offered Furlough of sixty days then and not until then may we expect to
have a fight here. I believe that is what they are
writing for I can't blame them for going home when the opportunity offered
for this is is a great trial to be sure and the denial of all pleasure and
tied up as it were in prison but this is nothing if it will restore peace
and happiness to our now down trodden and distracted country. I suppose
that you are more uneasy there about the war than we are for I know if I
were there I would not be anything like satisfied while here I enjoy myself
very well except extrime cold weather although I stay tolerable comfortable
under one blanket and one spread down on a little straw. the ground under
is frozen all the time.

        Mr. W. T. Musgrove I hear was elected 1st Lieut in Allen Smith's
Company.

        I have written twenty letters since Christmas and have not received
but one that looks hard and not only looks so, but is in reality. I like
one in my mess (J W Shelton) say some time that I don't care whether I ever
get another letter or not and won't write nothing but answers to them
received and I assure you that were I to adopt the course yo would get very
few letters from me. three is all I recollect of having got from you and
Brother Ed is nearly the same way. I don't believe he answers my letters
for a week after he gets them and his never goes two days unanswered.

        I have written to you since we had the Election in our company but
I tell you again.
Dr. S. E. Bell was unamiusly elected Captain and I beat R. J. Stewart for
1st Lieut 14 votes it standing 39 to 25. R. H. Shelton was Elected third
Lieut almost without opposition the vote standing 55 to 4.

        Give my love to Jinnie, Isabella and Willie. Write soon.

        I remain your Brother

                                                Lem Harris