Part 19 of 25 in Civil War Letters of Algernon H. Scribner. The date below is the letter’s historical date; the article retains the collection’s publication date.
Letter transcription
Camp of the Thirtieth Maine April 5 '64 Dear Farther
I now attempt to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well we are in Camp now for a few days again we Came here satturday night pretty near played out that is so hungry and tired and untill to day we have not had enough to keep a musquito alive, but to day we a[re] going to have some stewed Beans with some Salt Horse for Pork which if I was at home I dont hardly think that I should eat it but dont know what I might be drove to do. It is a beautiful morning this morning the sun shines bright birds are singing which makes me think of spring at home I can almost hear the sound of an axe and the murmur of the water that the snow from the Hill would make[.] I have not much news to write nothing that will interest you much. the boys that are here are feeling pretty well though the Otisfield boys are pretty much played out the boys got a mail last night but Scribner had none we expect to start tomorrow morning but may not, we are going to Shrearsport distance about 100 miles from here i think we hve been in the camp to long as we have marched 16 and are 150 miles from Franklin City. I hope that we will get into camp sometime again but probably shant until the spring campaign is over. my Insides begin to cry cutbard and I must dry up pretty soon as i guess that I have written about enough for this time. Tell grandma that Jackson Scrib says dont you wish that you could down to Clarras table and have some Pork and Potatoes. God I do Jack says, and i say the same write often and I will Answer.
From Algernon H. Scribner Co. C 30th Maine excuse this dirty sheet of paper it is the last that I can get
Source
Transcribed by Jean F. Hankins in 2011 for the Otisfield Historical Society, with permission of owner Hal Ferguson of Otisfield. Original spelling, uncertain readings, and editorial notes are retained.
Read the original transcription (PDF, starting on page 18).