Franklin County: Samuel M. Potter to Cynthia Potter,
February 3, 1863
Summary:
Potter writes to his wife about the new camp where his regiment has settled. He
also mentions news from his sister Mary about the loss of several family members
in one battle.
Feb. 3rd 1863
Camp 16th Pa. Cavalry
Dear Cynthia
Mr Frazier who came with Lieut. Gunn brought me a couple pair of socks with some butter & a late Wash. Co. newspaper from home & also in the socks a letter from you. I was glad that you are all well & Joseys arm well enough to go to school again so that he could use his new second reader. I am pleased to hear of him being such a good boy & learning so well. I would be very much pleased too if Lucy would go with Josey & learn to read with him. & then she could teach Bell her letters & Jimmy Sloan too when he learns to talk. Ask Lucy if she wont go to school for Pa & he will send her something nice. Mr Frazier says Lieut. Gunn took sick in Washington City & could not come down to the army of the Potomac. Well we have no particular news here. We have moved into our new camp in the Pine Woods which was a cornfield 25 years ago & you can see the ridge of each corn row yet. Some of the trees are as thick as a mans body. The boys all have put up their cabins again & have made them very comfortable with fireplaces to burn wood in. They are all well except Adam Hewitt who has inflamation of the lungs I think. We have quite a number in the hospital from other companies & the Doctor is having a large log house built for the use of the sick. When that is finished we will have ample room for the sick. You tell me not to go near the rebs for fear of being shot. There is no danger of that now. They are 7 or 8 miles from us. The time I was so near them was when I was on a visit to some other regiments. I have not had time since for riding out & expect will not for some time to come & as we are in the woods with the army all round us the rebels would have some trouble in getting here to get a pop at us. (I think so) I got a letter a few days ago from Mary. She tells me that they are all well at home but has sad news from Uncle Johns family. Cousin David was killed at the Murphysboro fight, Cousin Jimmie wounded, & Robert missing. You recollect Cos. David a noble generous hearted man. He has given his life that we may have liberty for ourselves & children. From what Mary said he was ready to die. To give an account for the deeds done in the body by having accepted salvation by Jesus Christ as offered in the Gospel. We should all see to it that our calling & election is sure for we do not know when the angel of death may summon any of us away from this earth. Uncle John & Aunt Jane will be in trouble, whereas Robert will be their constant care & will James recover to come back to them will be a great deal of anxiety to them. We expect from all indications to stay here for some time. For how long it is not known, but the mud will for some time hold the [unclear: army] level. Our paymaster has not come yet but like the good time coming will be here after a while. Cynthia I am delighted with your present. The butter is not so coarse on hard crackers & as the air today is frosty the socks are bully. I have nothing else to write today but to leave us all in the care of our Heavenly Father that he may protect you from all dangers seen & unseen
S.M. Potter
