Franklin County: Samuel M. Potter to Cynthia Potter,
January 15, 1863
Summary:
Potter describes the relatively comfortable conditions in his new camp and the
unusually pleasant weather. He also mentions that the Confederate forces across
the Potomac River appear to be preparing for a fight. His letter includes a
postscript to a person named Janey.
Jan 15th 1863
Camp Gregg Near Falmouth Va.
Dear Cynthia
About an hour ago the mail came in & I got 3 letters one from Aunt Mary Ann Spriggs one from sister Mary & the other, the first that I have got for a good while, from you. Some jackass had sent home word that we were going to Texas & I suppose that is the reason that you did not write. It is nearly 4 weeks since I have got a letter from you, but today I am well paid for waiting. Your letter was like a good dinner to a hungry man. I have to sit down & read it over & then over again. I had not heard until today that Josey got hurt. I wish in your next letter you would tell me how it happened & all about it. On yesterday I rode over to see the 140th. I saw Josiah Carrol, Tom Lucas, Warren Burns, Ben Ernest & all the rest of the West Finley boys. They were all fat & hearty. They have built themselves log cabins & live very comfortable. Then I went on to Falmouth & rode on the river banks while the rebel pickets were on the other side about 60 yards over. The river here is very narrow & rocky. I could see the rebels digging their intrenchments preparing for another fight. I was about a mile above Frederick in full view of the town & intended going down to get a better view when a guard stopped me & told I must have a pass from Gen. Burnsides so I turned back & came to our camp in the woods again & here we are getting along finely. We have our hospital tents all up our stoves & plenty of wood to keep us warm. The other Steward & myself have a tent to ourselves. We have a nice pine board floor in it & I am now sitting on the edge of our bed made by driving 4 forked sticks in the ground laying crosspieces on the forks & then a lot of hoop poles on that. We have a bed tick filled with hay & then our blankets making the best kind of a bed. For the hospital we have iron bed steads & plenty of bed clothing to keep the sick warm. The soldiers here have all built log cabins with fire places in them & have them comfortable. The weather here has been very nice warm & pleasant. I am going in my shirt sleeves for some days. The boys are all in good health here there are not very many in the hospital/
I wish I was at your side to get a piece of your bread & apple butter with Josey. I feel so sorry about his arm. You must write to me how it happened & I did not know anything of it until today.
Cant you give Jimmy a piece & let Lucy nurse him in the big arm chair while my little Bell sings to him. Well Cynthia you weigh more than I do. My weight is about 150 lbs. About Simon Carrol do not let it run too long or you can get nothing from him. You had better give the note to Squire Frazier soon while Simon has something in his hand. Give the note to the Squire to collect. I sent my carpet sack home to you & sent you a letter with the key in it. Write and let me know if you get it. I will have to close soon. Cynthia direct your letters to Washington City as you have been & they will follow me any place.
God bless you dear wife & may he take you and the children under his care is the prayer of your husband & father
S. M. Potter
Well Janey you will excuse me for not writing a long letter to you as Cynthia's contains about all I can tell you. Today we had a pleasant march from Washington down. Only one man was hurt. His pistol went off and he pulled it through the bushes & shot him in the flesh of the arm not very dangerous but will make him take more care how he handles a pistol.
