118. Kelley, D.O.
Civil War Letter: Life in Camp McReynolds

September 28, 1864:
At the beginning of this letter, Kelley appears to be in good spirits. Stationed outside of "Washington City" in Camp McReynolds, he writes his sister that he has plenty to eat and drink and writes out a sample "bill of fare then you will know about how we live." Kelley finally admits that while the food and quarters are fine, "I do not enjoy a Soldiers life verry mutch nor I do not think that ever I shall but as it is a duty that I owe to my country I shall do my duty so far as I can or am able to do…" Earlier in his tenure with the army, Kelley wrote of how splendid and first rate his military companions were. His attitude has changed: "I do not belong to a fighting regiment. The most of them are perfic cowards officers + all the rest of the reg except but three companies it is the same reg that skedaddled from Manasses Junction about 3 weeks ago there was two men of them that never stoped untill they landed in pennsylvania. They was scattered all over the country they look out for number one.." He tells his sister that he has sent $15.00 to her in a previous letter and that if she cannot use it she should send it to the folks at home. Their mother, Christina, lives in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania. Kelley also requests some postage stamps; apparently, any soldier venturing into town even to purchase stamps ran the risk of being arrested by the "provo guard." This may have been a way to stop the stream of deserters.

50/100     SOLD: $23.00

Condition: Very Good