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Regiment: 19th Indiana Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Fort Craig VA. Dec 26th 1861
Most repected Sister it with pleasure i take my pen in hand to answer you
affection letter just at hand informing me of you good health which is mee was
gratifying to learn hoping stile wen this comes to your hand it may still find you
enjoying the same blessings also my friends in jeneral. wee are still camped at fort
Craig where wee have bin for near 2 ½ months in this camp and how much longer
wee half to remain I am unable to say in all probabability all winter. without there
constantly bien an expectation of a general fight perhaps it may come soon. it must
come sooner or later and let it come the sooner the better. our camp is four miles west
of of the city of Washington state in plain view. the country looks much like
destructions. the fencing all destroyed leaving farms turned out to the commons.
Houses burned to the ground timber cut down in all directions and forts in abundence
there is in plain view of this about one Dozzen Forts beside any amount with in the
sound of a gun it appears that it would be almost impossible for the army to take the
city and if our troops should continue for one year fortifying like and a fast as they
have since wee have been here this country would be line all over with forts. there is
considerly chat that old england is going to war with us if she does it give us a little
more work to for our country and a chance to show our patritic
[ ? ]
I would bee hapy to return home and spend this Winter and enjoy the company of my
old friend I think that I could spend a month or too with sadisfaction if there But it
useless to talk of being there for it will bee imposible to git to come this winter and god
only knows how soon the war will be over it will depend a grate dle of circumstances
if england piches in as anticipated I think wee will half to serve our three years and
pehas longer i have traverst the City of Washington wile I am tired of
seeing the place unless I could spind at least a month and have noting to do but go round and see the
curiosities. Wee have had a splended fall here and the winter is
nice so far. there is some very nice Country here and and look like it was not worth
paying tax for. also there are some verry costly buildings through virginia that have
cost an imense a mount of money to recte them as they are made out of marbl
there is nothin much of inrest for mee to write at this. wee have bilt bilt pens four
logs high and stake our tents on top also plastered the cracks with mud and built fire
places whiche renderes it comfortabl to us in these cold evenings and mornings – we
have some pretty good times in camp & some times when from camp wee often
halve too much drilling and rather more unnessary marching than as we like
my health is good and I enjoy myself very well I am giting fat as a hog if my flesh
continues till spring as it has lately I will bee under the necessity of giting a discharge
for I wile be burther so with fat that I will not bee of any use. the health
of our regment has ben bad but it is giting pretty good at the presant time the boys of
your acquaintence are in good health at this time and enjoy themselves ecceeding well.
Our captain is one of the best men in the regiment also wee have good officers with
few exceptions. Cousin betsy
[ ? ] said that she sent mee a quilt. I have not up to
this time received or ever heard anything about it perhaps it is at Washinton at the first
opertunity I will indevour to learn When you write as you must and inform mee what
our people are doing at hom and how they are giting along I and various other
[ ? ]
finding this all that I have at time to write I conclude by sending you my well wishes &
also the same to the family hoping soon to heare from you all yours as ever
Your Sincer Brother Reuben Clark
Elizabeth Parker
Write often as circumstances
wile permit
Mrs E.C. Parker
Time and opportunity
now affords an other chance of letting you know how I am getting along at the
present. As far as health is concirned I am considerable better than I was when I
wrote to you. I wrote to you I think while at the City Hospital. I have been at camp
nearly four weeks. but have been on no duty at all till this evening at dress parade I
expect to go on duty now in a few days old fashinoned
I still remain your
Hugh Parker
