October 25th, 1862

Oct 25/62
Camp near Harpers Ferry

Dear Wife,

I should not write you today but I don’t know as I shall have an opportunity tomorrow, for we had orders to be ready to march at 9 o’clock this morning but it is now one o’clock P.M. and we have not marched yet and I don’t see any signs of it. We were ready at the time set so that the reason for delay is not in us. If we do not move I shall write you tomorrow.

I received your very blue letter last night¹. I was really sorry that you felt so bad and was so near sick and so discouraged about the condition of the country. I think myself that the Rebs at the North may make trouble but we can whip the South if we get a chance and all move at once, but if we stand still and let Rebs do as they like or go a few at a time we might as well go home at once.

I was glad to see by your letter that you did not believe all of the foolish stuff that is written home by such men as Mark or Henry Cook. I have seen no dead bodies nor has this Regt. buried any nor has Hen Cook visited Antietam nor were there any bodies burned except a few Rebs that had fallen in the bushes and were not found until they had putrified and not but 4 or five of them. The story about the 20th has no foundation, there has been no desertions since we left New Haven and I presume the Regt. will speak for itself if we go into action.

As for our fare, I have given you the dark side of the picture instead of the bright. I have intended to tell you the truth and if I have not in all cases it is because I have been imposed upon. We have had poor food some of the time and some of the time when moving we should not have had any if we had not provided for ourselves but lately we have had enough of what might be called good soldier fare.

When I commenced this I did not expect to write as much as I have but we don’t hear the long roll beat yet. I don’t believe our Generals know what they want, they give an order and then countermand it so that we can’t tell anything what is coming.

“When the trumpet gives an uncertain sound who shall prepare himself for battle?”²

Dear Wife, cheer up, I shall see you again sometime and I think soon. I have not felt despondent, not even when my health was poor and now I feel first rate. I think Dr. Foot’s pills have helped my throat and lungs. I wish you would send some more in a letter. I take them quite often every time I get a cold.

Give my love to all my friends, tell those that gave something to send me that I am much obliged. Kiss the baby for me.

From your devoted husband,

C. A. B.

P.S. Mike Hussey has not been discharged yet but I think he will be. He cannot march but he hates to be sent home or he might have been 2 weeks ago. All the Mt. Carmel boys are well except Beach and he is not very sick.

C. B.