Waterloo, July 27th, 1862
Dear sister,
Your letter the twenteth in
came to hand last night, the
most of your queries were answered
before asked, and you have
doubtly got my last letter before
this. I cant say much in
favor of this Waterloo. it is
about the poorest place of Gods footstool
it was ever my fortune to
call home, we have been here
a week and hope it will be the
last one, There is no war near
at present every thing is quiet in
this vicinity Gen Pope is getting
ready for an onward move – you
need not be surprised if it takes
place very soon,
Tell about hot weather you
dont know anything about
[page 2]
uncomfortable weather in Maine,
Virginia weather is about the
most uncertain thing I ever experienced ,
sometimes you get all sorts in one
day, but on the whole it is quite
pleasant and healthy there being
so many showers ; the air is pure,
It is so hot to day that my idears
are all dried up . cant think of any
thing to write . Had a long
letter from Em last week
it took her three weeks to write it,
but it is to [far?] round to carry
news so I wont tell anything
that she wrote. trusting that you
have heard direct before this
My cooking [aportment?] remains
about the same Cherries are
gone, and this place in to poor
to produce Blackberries
consequently dont have any very
nice dishes of [fruit?]
[page 3]
My two messmates are from [Linomore?]
one of them says he is acquainted
and related to Mr. Doble”s
folkes his name is George
Garmmon , the other ones name
is Milton Bricker, we have some
high times they are both first
rate boys but rather poor cooks
think they must have good fathers
and kind Mothers at home that
always look out for their wants
(Indeed am sure of it)
Suppose when Samuel Doble
gets home, he will create a great
excitement every one will want
to see the Gentleman from
New [Orleans?]
My health has been very good thus
far, to day feel sort of squamish
on the account of eating some musty
baked beans, yesterday but that
is nothing, We have been
practicing a skirmish drill
[page 4]
lately some of the horses cut some
quer antics when firing upon them
one would suppose that our
horses had got so used to the sound
of guns that they would not mind
it this time, we have not fixed
much upon them from some cause,
They will stand fire well around
them or upon them while in the rank.
but in the skirmish drill we are
five paces apart, they being used to
marching beside each other are afraid
when seperate, but a few day s will learn
them better
When anything happens or we get into
a place where there is anything, will
write you a long letter,
I am going to send you a Gold
dollar to keep for me (prehaps
shall send more some time)
when I get home we will
go on a nine cent bust
somewhere
My love to you and all the folkes
from you absent brother
F. N. Holman