Camp near Sulphur Springs Va
Sept. 12th 1863
Dear Sister
Your kind letter was
duly recieved, as it was directed
to Hd Qrts 1st [???] corps. it was some
days behind time. Co. L. left
that place the twenty fifth of Aug
hereafter it is to be with the
Regiment. direct your letters
accordingly I have but a few [minutes?]
to spare in writing for we are under
orders to march tomorrow morning
at four oclock.
You must not suppose that I
suffer any for opinions sake
politicllay. I shall always claim
the right too think and speak
as I choose upon all political
issues of the day, there is many
short comings in my estimation
[page 2]
of the president and his admirers
and there is many acts of his that
I disapprove. stil I am for carrying
on the war for the purpose for
which it was commenced setting
aside questions of minor importance
such as the terms of admitting the
the South again into the Union,
and the settlement of the “Negro
policy”
I am a Democrat and a Union
man, and shall endevar to do my post
as a volunteer to whip those in arms
against the government.
We have some extreme men in
this company that can see nothing
but the negro in this struggle
the immediate emancipation of slavery
is to them of more importance than
the restoration of the Union, and
ready to denounce all who do not agree
with them as Copperheads and Traitors,
They are a very hornless set
[page 3]
fellows consequently we dont
have any trouble finally think
in talking thing I am about a
match for them, at least am satisfied
myself.
You are much mistaken
if you suppose that my arrest
was on the account of opinion it was
for alleged lack of duty when in
charge of the Stable guard, the punish
ment was only to remain in
my quarters with my arms in the
care of the Seargent.
Of course that means only a rest
from duty,
The little Dutchman is our
Capt. the trouble is with him is
this he has a good knowledge
of Tactics and disipline but is
sadly deficient in those little
qualities necessary for a man and
soldier Common sense,
and Judgement
[page 4]
I had my picture taken before
[????] Corps Hd qrts have
sent them to Temple with
directions to have them photographed
and one sent to you,
Hope you will send me your
picture whether you get mine or not,
The 1st Me is doing (or rather
has been) pikett duty the last
month on the [Hazel?] river and to
[????]ville it is in the Second
Division (Greggs) “second Brigade
Col. Gregg commanding you
will doubtfully hear from us if
the rebels dont catch all the
correspondents
In [??] acept a Brothers
love my best wishes to Aunts
family, F. N. Holman
Direct to
Co. L. 1st. Me. Cavy
Washington
D. C.