1863
Arlington heights March 24
Dear Mother
I thought that I would write
a few lines to you to let you
no the news our rigt has
gon down to Chantily they
left this plase this morning
about 1 o clock but I am sick
with the mumps I have bin
sick 2 or 4 days and so I was left
behind thare was a quite a lot that
was left I supose that I shall
have to go as soon as I get well
Curtis has got quite smart for
him he did have the mumps
and thare was whare I got them
my fase was swelled up quite
large but I guess I shall get
over them all right Curtis
haint got his papers yet but
expects them evry day
[page 2]
when the boys went of[f] this
this morning they left in
tip top sperits they was right
on their tops. well we have
staid some time in this place
and I dont think that we had
ought to grumble for I have
fared a good deal better than
I expected to when I came out
here and as we have but a short
time to stop here we shall make
the best of it you must not
worrey about me for I shant go
to the rig till I get better and I
will try to look out for No 1
if I can and I have had good
luck so far I shant try to smoothe
any thing over any thing about it
we may not have to do any
fighting but it is my mind
that some body has for thare
has a good many soldiers gon
down whare they expt to have
[page 3]
a battle and thare was a cavelry
that went by here to day that was
as lor long as from our house
to the corner but thare I hope
that we all shall live to get
home safe but if I dont I
shasll try to be prepared to
meet you all in that bitter [1]
land I want all your prayers
I have rote all I can think
of thare haint nothing a
goin on here now give my
love to all and a share
for your self
soo good by
from your son E Turner
[page 4]
March 24
Dear Father
I will scrach a few lines
to you I wont stop to write
all the news for you can red
this I supose that you have
got snow enough in maine
but we have mud and it
rains to night this is a drole
country and folks and ware
and for my part I shall
be glad when it is played
out thare haint no news
onley ware news and them
we have evry day so good
by I will right more
next time E Turner