Letter from R. Henry Campbell to mother

Creator:

Campbell, R. Henry (Robert Henry), ?-1870

Scope and content:

Written from Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. Letter regards life and schedule in camp.

Language:

English

Other descriptive data:

Harper's Ferry
May 4/1861

Dear Mother
I write this morning to let you know how we all are. We are all in tolerable good health except Mr. Webb and Tanquary. They both expect to go home shortly.

We have a good deal of duty to attend to. We go to Reveille at 5 oclock a.m., squad drill at 5½ oclock, surgeons call at 6½ oclock, at 7 we have breakfast, at 8 first call for guard mounting, at 8½ second call for guard mounting, orderly hours 9 until ten, squad drill 10½ to 11½, Battalion drill 11½ to 12½ dinner 1, squad drill again 2½ to 3½, dress parade at 6, retreat at sundown, supper at 7, tattoo at 9½, taps at 10. Besides this we have to walk guard. I have not drank a drop of whisky or brandy since I left and I do not intend to do so until I get back. I think that I can do as well without it as with it. Col. Jackson has forbid the Liquor Dealers to sell to the soldiers, but they still get it on the sly. I believe that there is less whisky drank in our company than in any other company here.

Tell father that John Donald has not drank a drop of liquor since he left and I do not think that he will. He was the same dry wit that he had about him when at home. He sends his best respects to our family, also to Mr. Jacob Smith.

Every evening we have singing after supper. James Campbell, John and Sam Charlton lead, they generally commence with "Do they miss me at home," then they sing two or three hymns and finish up with "They miss me at home."

We are divided off into messes; each corporal and sergeant has charge of a mess. I have nine in my mess--myself, McCown, Kelly T., Kelly J., McMarra, Mullen, Lynch, Ashery McClure, and Charley Rollins. I appoint one man every day to cook for the rest. I have to go and get the provisions three times a day from the Quartermaster.

I wish you would send me some paper collars if you can get them. They are better than the Linen collars. I can wear one of them a week and then you do not have the trouble of washing.

Give my love to all and tell some of my friends to write to me. You do not know how eagerly we await the coming of the mail, and how disappointed we are if we do not get a letter. No more at present from your affectionate son,
R. Henry Campbell.

Subjects:

Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Infantry Regiment, 27th
Correspondence

Names:

Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863
Campbell, R. Henry (Robert Henry), ?-1870
Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863

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