Soldier's Letter, Civil War - September 1862

 Oxford Times, October 8, 1862

Letter from the 114th Regiment

Baltimore, Md. Sept. 29, 1862

Dear Times:  Having a leisure hour, I thought I would improve it in writing, and let you know how the boys of old Chenango get along soldiering.

I believe as a general thing that they are remarkably well, for you must know that we are encamped in one of the most beautiful groves in old Maryland.  It is located on a rising ground overlooking a view of the city of Baltimore, and a venerable part of the surrounding countryside.  I think that we could not have made a better choice if we had been permitted to select our own ground for a camp.  All other Regiments are encamped near us, and any quantity are passing thro' the city daily, for the seat of war. 

All but two hundred of our Regiment have been taken for guard in the city.  A few were at first detailed from each company.  Then the whole of company I was detailed.  They are divided up in squads to guard the Hospitals, Railroad stations, &c.  Everything passes off as pleasantly in camp as in a well regulated company.  There has not been a quarrel in our Regiment since we came here.  Our camp ground is kept as nice and clean as a house parlor (and I guess that it is swept and cleaned about as much as some).  We are proud of our camp and I think we have a reason to.  We have a regular Post Office, and mail twice a day, tens, and hundreds of letters are dropped into the box daily that are to go to many lonely hillsides, among the green hillsides of Chenango.  Letters are the soldiers -?-, and when the mail comes, and letters are distributed you will see a look of disappointment pass over the faces of those that do not receive of the precious document.  Look around camp in an hour of leisure and you will see men seated under the spreading branches of our beautiful oaks, with pen in hand, writing many messages of love to friends at home.  As many as a thousand have gone from the post office in one day, many of them to be delivered among the hills and valleys of home.  We miss the weekly visits of the "Times."  Let one of the copies get into camp and you will see a crowd collect immediately to hear the news.  Everybody is delighted with the idea of borrowing, and the owner will have no peace till he turns it over.  

Since I have been writing, orders have been received for one hundred and fifty more of our Regiment, company F, and a part of Company H are taken.  Fifty are to proceed to St. George Co. to aid the enrolling officer in the discharge of his duties. The remainder are to take the place of one of the Mass. companies in the city belonging to the 38th Mass. Regiment.  The order calls for duty.  Good-by for the present.   

W.E.