Civil War Letter Detailing Leisure Time by D.O. Kelley,
December 5, 1862, Bath, Maryland
This 1862 letter is one of the earliest written by Kelley after his enlistment. He writes from a place he calls "Bath". His sister wrote to him about Fayette Springs, which, he claims, is nothing compared to the splendor of this area. "There was in a general way from 2500 to 300 boarders all the time. I do not know why we never heard of this place it is equal to the Bedford Springs.... I believe that this is the gretes Bathing place in the united States." Indeed, the area around Washington in Maryland and West Virginia was famous for hotsprings. Berkeley Springs was frequented by General Washington as early as the Revolutionary War. Kelley is eating well and "laying around" in the Army and, in fact, seems a little bored with the lack of activity. This respite also gives him time to consider his "Soul."