Sharpsburg, Md., Oct. 22, 1862
Dear Father:-
Your favor of the 15th has just been received.
I am sorry to hear of the illness of my little sisters. I have been fearing that pestilence, Diptheria, would make its appearance in Rockland, as it has been raging so fearfully across the river for several months. I think it is to be dreaded as much as Scarlet Fever among children, for it is so fatal. I hope by proper care and nursing the children will have recovered before this reaches you.
I received a letter also from Mary Stanton. She says you have plenty of fruit. I really long for some of your good apples as we very rarely see an apple here and then they are of a very poor quality and two or three dollars a bushel at that. It seems that the people in this part of the country are thinking of nothing else but making money.
There are indications that we will make a move from our present location before long, but where, I do not know. It is thought that the policy of the Generals is to leave a small force here to protect Maryland and Pennsylvania and then to strike up through Thoroughfare Gap and get in the rear of the enemy via Manassas.
The weather is perhaps as cold here along these mountain ridges as it is with you. It is a common sight about two or three o’clock in the morning to see fires burning all over camp and fellows sitting shivering round them trying to get warm. They do not have blankets sufficient to keep warm in their tents. There are no prevailing diseases here except diarrhea and no deaths that I hear of. I believe after all there is less sickness here than you have at home.
Enclosed I send a picture of Col. McCalmont as he appeared while in the service, which please give to Clara. [1] Also a ring for Mary Emma which I made myself with a pocket-knife of a bone which I picked up near the battle field of Antietam—it is not a human skull however so you needn’t have compunctions of conscience while handling it.
I never knew until a short time since that General [Jesse] Reno was a native of Venango County.
General Jackson is now back and in command of the Third Brigade as before. Col. Kirk’s resignation has been accepted and he goes home to-morrow.
Hoping for the happiness and the health of all the family, I am
[Affectionately yours, James D. C.]
Next posting: October 28, 2012
Jonathan E. Helmreich
College Historian
Allegheny College
Meadville, PA 16335
[1] Clara was the eldest of James’s two sisters, being sixteen at the time of his enlistment.