MS 474 mf - Weddell Family Papers: Transcripts (George Weddell Correspondence)

Camp Parole, Annapolis, Md.
June 17, 1864

Dear Brother:

Have just written to Maggie Dunipace and had to cut her letter short in order to answer yours as duty would otherwise have prevented an answer for a day or two. I am sorry to hear that the prospect for crops is so poor, and that you are having dry weather and frost together for situated as the county now is, we need the best of crops to prevent suffering during the coming winter. Here we have fine rains every few days but the nights are cold and the days warm, yet we are never long without refreshing breezes from the direction of the ocean. This I suppose is owing to our proximity to the Bay [Chesapeake]. The country around the camp is very poor, owned and cultivated by men, who though minimally, are union men, yet at length are traitors and would rejoice at the success of the Rebellion. I found more union men in Tennessee than are to be found among the same number of inhabitants in Loyal Maryland as the Baltimore American has it. Such soil can be expected to produce but scanty crops wither of produce or patriotism, for miles in every direction, you will find nothing but gray sand, the producing capacity of which is about equal to the sand found along the shores of our rivers. In fact, it appears a miracle from such land they should be able to raise enough for their own subsistence.

Cherries are ripe here now and the boys are out every day getting them, but only five from each Co. per day are allowed to have passes, all will not have a chance to indulge in the crop (?). The cherries resemble the early black of our own state only they are smaller and grow wild in the fields and along the highways. Milk peddlers come to camp every morning and evening so that we have milk for our coffee (price 10 cents per quart). We can have butter for 50 cents per lbs. so strongly scented with garlic that in each you can taste nothing but onion.

Have just received information of the death of Leonard Snyder [Ed note: Private, Co.F died June 14, 1864 at Annapolis Junction]. How little we know what is in store for us. He was sick but four days, delirious all the time, poor fellow; he might have been better prepared. Let us all take worry for we know not what a day or an hour may bring forth. In the midst of life we are in death and how often do we see those whose prospects for a long life are cut down suddenly and without warning. He has gone from among us, speak kindly of the dead. May he rest in peace. How many of the purest and the bravest have during the past five weeks yielded up their lives in defense of Liberty and Law. God grant that the battle now pending may be decisive and Rebellion forever crushed.

I am surprised that Fremont after the course he has pursued has many friends in Webster. Mr. Doff says he is going to vote for "Old Abe" and you know he is an ardent admirer of Fremont. Fremont's letter to the Cleveland Convention should forever consign him to political oblivion. Lincoln and Johnson are a strong team and in the army will be supported almost unanimously. Have just received news of the Morgan defeat in Kentucky, of Grant's movement across the Chickahominy and James Rivers. All the exchanged and paroled men from the west leave this morning. Those exchanged to the front, those paroled to Camp Chase. I have received the articles you sent by the Dutchman and my clothing from Robertson. I think Uncle William sold Nell too cheap. Have time to write no more this morning. Love to mothers and grandmothers.

Believe me your affectionate brother,

George Weddell

[This page is attached to the above letter but doesn't seem to fit anywhere in with the subject matter of the previous. It is possible that this is simply a fragment that was grouped together with the June 17th letter.]

John Dunipace is well and doing duty. John Smith has the ague; the other boys are well. I have not yet received my commission and do not know whether I will get it or not as the original muster roll of Co.G never reached the Adjutant General's office but was lost through carelessness of the Military Committee. I have written to the Adjutant General but have not yet received any reply. Should I fail, I will enter the ranks for the remainder of the 100 days. I should be more at home there than in my present position though I would lose $150 by the operation. Please send $50 by express as I have not a cent and I borrowed $25 from William and $75.00 from Henry.

Tell Maggie to write soon as she gets home, as I am anxious to know that they got home safe. I wrote to mother last week.