Letter written by Henry Welch, corporal in the 123rd New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Company K, to his father from Camped in the woods, March 25, 1864

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PAGE IMAGECamped in the woods March 25th -64 My Dear Father (Welch, Luther)

I received your letter a short time since and was glad to hear
that you were all getting along so well.
this leave's me in good health and fine
spirits and in a flourishing condition in
general. we are still guarding the workmen
that are takeing (taking) up the railroad here.
we have just heard that the balance of
our regt. are ordered out on another scout
after guerillas, its a fine thing for them
but a finer thing for us, for we shall
get rid of going on this tramp. we have
had fine weather for some day's. but it
has now been raining since last night.
I came pretty near getting into a little scrape last
night, perhaps you like to hear something about it.
I took my gun towards night yesterday and went out
for a stoll (stroll) through the woods, I got sight of a
flock of wild turkeys and followed them
[written in margins: I received that handkerchief
much obliged Henry (Welch, Henry) ]

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PAGE IMAGE a long way's and the first thing I knew I
diden't (didn't) know much of anything "as the fellow said"
for I could not tell which way I come or
which way to go, woods in every direction as
far as I could walk in three hour's, I made
a start and at last found a small clearing with
a log house upon it, the folks told me that it
was three miles to the railroad, it was nearly
dark and to add to the pleasure of my excursion
it commenced raining, I should certainly have
staid (stayed) all night but I knew there was now and
then a bushwhacker about, so I must find my
way to camp if posible (possible). I started on a path
but soon it grew so dark that I lost the path
and after walking in the darkness about two
hours through brush and briars I found
another clearing I went to the house and
shure (sure) enough it was the same one I had
left two hours before, the man this time
acted a little suspicou's (suspicious), I thought he was
telling me the wrong road to get me in
a dangerous country, I told him that as
he was acquainted through the woods he
had better show me the way for a peice (piece)

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PAGE IMAGE he said he wasent (wasn't) going out in the
rain. but I told him he must he
looked at my gun, and I made him believe
I was in earnest. so he concluded to go, he
took a path nearly opposite from what he
had told me. I kept him along untill (until)
I got in sight of the boy's camp fire's
then dismissed him, the boy's thought
some reb had got me shure (sure), it was
almost midnight when I got to camp
my walk was anything but pleasant
I assure you, I did not tell the boy's
that I had to press a guide to take
me to camp and I don't mean they shall
know it either. I think the next time I go
hunting I shall take some note which way
I am going. I hear no war news now
days. everything seems quiet both in
front here and in Verginia (Virginia) (Virginia) . the old Col.
is working to get a commission for Dave
Rogers (Rogers, Dave) in our Co. the boys are all trying
to prevent it. we are going to send a remonstrance
to the General, if he gets one Co. K (Company K) will
kick up a row and we will have a big time

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PAGE IMAGE I think Wood (Wood) and Rube Ely (Ely) done well
I suppose they think that the soldiers
if allowed to vote would not support
the copperhead party very strongly
I hardly think they would. I would
like to ask them if the soldiers who are
fighting to sustain the government
had not ought to vote who had. thanks
that such men do not rule this country
their day's of reign are over old
Buchannan (Buchanan, James (President of the United States)) does not sit in the Presidentle (presidential)
chair now. and may such a vile traitor
never sit there again and I think there
will not in the next four years anyway if
the soldiers have a chance to vote. gove (give) my
respects to all old friends my best wishes
to Uncle Franklin (Tanner, Franklin) and Aunt Polley (Tanner, Franklin (Mrs., Polly C.)) (Tanner, Polly C. (Mrs. Franklin Tanner)) my
love to yourself and all the family
write soon no more this time Good bye

from your Son Henry Welch (Welch, Henry) .