Howard County, MD in the Civil War

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[page 1] Camp Relay May 26th,64 Dear Sisters and all, I take my opportunity this evening to let you know that George & I are well at present and hope that you are all enjoying health. This has been a very disagreeable day it has rained all day & is a raining now & George has gone to stand guard but he has a good gun & woolen blanket so he can keep dry. Every thing looks very good here the grass in some places is almost knee high & the people are a working their corn it looks very nice it looks as if i ought to be at it. I have not seen any sheep since I got into maryland. there is very little stock kept here. The county is nice here it is moderately hilly but I think [page 2] It is not very rich. Camp life Is a life of continual disturbance. You can see al sort of carrying on. Some are reading in the bible, some praying, singing, swearing, playing cards, lying, playing ball & I tell you they are good at stealing. I have seen more sin committed within the last two week then I ever did see befor in two months. Last knight we had 15teen loves of bread, 15 tins, 2 butcher knives stolen. We found out that Company C. had them and I think they will get their hands full of it. The capt is a going to report to the colonel. Well it is roll call now and I will have to quit a short time. Well we have got through. I had two boards packed to sleep on to knight. I left them out side and it was not long until they was gon so I had to do without. I am sorry to say that the measles has broke [page 3] Out in our company. I think that it will keep Averly Naylor busy to get well he is very bad & we have not a very good chance to take care of him. Griff McMillan & John Scott took them today they are at the hospital to night but I think that they will get along all rite. There is about 500 soldiers here beside our regiment in an other incampment. their is a small fort just a small distance be low the rela house they have six piece of artilery there they say that their is soldiers a bout every mile between here and wheling. John Courtright substitute got here yesterday. We have heard that Brose more got here an that he is wounded I was very sorry to here of the other boys getting killed so but that is the way soldiers is used. [page 4] While I was at camp chase I saw the funeral of a soldier that was in the hospital. It was a solm sight he was halled in an ambulance and the bang marched before and played a very solm piece of music it will bring a person to their feeling I tell you. I expect you have quite a singing now. If it would not be to much trouble I would like fer you to send the Oriental Glee book I thing I could pass my tin very advantiously and call John. We have plenty to Eat. I have not been on guard yet. George has sent two letters and this is two for me. but I will give you the directer for fear you did not get the Direct to Comp H, 157 Regt - O.N.G. st.__po, Baltimore CO, MD. Remember me Jefferson Glover I had a mess of straw berries and onions.

[page 1] Fort Delaware June 7th, 1864 Dear sister I take the pleasure this morning of writing a few lines to you to inform you of our whereabouts. We are now at fort delaware on the delaware river. We left the Relay house Sunday the 5th and arrived here the 6th. None ofus expected to leave so soon as we did, but when the word came that we were to go the most of them were anxious to get off. We had to march from one depot to another in Baltimore a distance of about four miles, as we passed along we saw ex-governor Todd at the city hotel. The boys gave him a hearty cheer as they passed along. [page 2] It was about four o'clock when we left Baltimore and we arrived at Newcastle by the break ofday Monday morning we crossed two arms of the chesa- peake bay on bridges. I suppose they were about a mile wide. We crossed the Susquehanna river after night. The cars were run onto a boat and taken across. We came from Newcastle to the fort on a steamer, a distance of about seven miles. It is a much pleasanter way of travel- ing than on the cars. The fort is situated on an island in the delaware river. it is about four hundred feet square and mounts about two hundred guns. There are about fifteen hun- dred union troops here. three full batteries and our regiment. those that have been here say that [page 3] it is a very heahhy location. There is a good breeze blowing from the river the most of the time the tide raises about six feet twice a day. There are about ei ght thousand prisoners, among them are about five hundred com- missioned officers. There is also a great many convicts, some of the prisoners have taken the oath such as have they do not keep in confinement, but allow them to be out they have them to per- form all of the rough labor. I have not seen many ofthe rebs yet but those I have seen were very dirty looking mortals each man is fur nished ten rounds of amunition. We have very comfortable bar- ricks and it is altogather prob- able we will stay here the rem- ainder of our hundred days. We have both had our health [page 4] very well since we left. yesterday morning, I ate most too much cheese and fat meat and I was pretty sick last night but I feel pretty well this morning. I was glad to hear that every thing is prospering so well in Jefferson Co. and that you are all getting along so well. Tell mother to pass the time the best she can the hundred days will soon pass around. I could enjoy a chat with you all very well, and partake of a good meal with relish. well I have written about all the particulars this time and will close. I want some of you to mail a letter each mail to one of us for it does us a great deal of good to hear from home. You can tell father that Findley is our captain and he is not any better than davidson. I will close by giving my love to you all. write soon and direct to Fort delaware, Delaware. the rest of the direction is as it was given before. Nothing more but remains your affectionate Brother Geo W Glover