Camp Meigs Readville Oct. 22nd 1863
Dear Mother
I received your letter & bun-
dle yesterday morning & I was very glad to
get it I
tell you I put on one of the shirts right off &
you cannot guess how good & soft it felt
they just fit me & are made in good style
I am real glad of the little cap you sent
how much did it cost. it is gay. yest-
erday I was on provost-guard (drummer) &
only
came off this morning. it is now evening
& I am sitting in my bunk writing on a
little box, by candle light, right back of me
are some veterans talking of their battles
on my left around the stove are a lot of
the boys (some from L) talking & laughing
they make such a noise I can scarcely write
the money you sent came very welcome, I
dont know of any more to night but will
write more in the morning E B
Peirce
Oct 23 It is a
very cold day yet it is
pleasant. last night it was cold enough
to freeze water out of door I was rather cold
except my feet and head which were kept
warm by the slippers & cap you sent
the second Mass Cavalry (Co B) left here
today for the Army of the Potomac. they
number 121 men we are pretty comfortable here
but the boys complain of having to stand
guard every other day. I went over to Mrs.
Paull’s house & bought 5
cts worth of butter
I made a lot of toast with it & it was
real good. I dont know as we shall go away
for 3 or 4 weeks. dont you write
believe
every story you hear about our going
away I will write you notice soon enough
before we go.
Oct 24 It is
Sunday
it was stormy this morning we had
inspection of our bunks. our blan-
kets laid at the foot & our clothes
at the head of our bunks.
a good many in the guard house for
absence without leave but I got in
camp befor my furlough was
up. I dont know whether I shall get
another furlough or not I had a
furlou pass the other day & went up
to South Dedham with a milk
man. he treated me with milk
& apples. I dont know of any more
to write. write soon & tell me all
the news.