Weldon Railroad, Va.
August 31st 1864
Dear Brother,
I received your letter a few days since and now take this opportunity to answer it. I have been engaged for the last few days in helping the Captain make out the muster rolls and he has kept me pretty busy writing so that I have not had much chance to answer your letter before. We have to be mustered for pay the last day of every two months, or every other month, and it is the calculation to pay us off soon after but it has been six months now since we have been paid at all. But I understand that our paymaster has left Washington with the chink in his pocket for us now. One thing is sure, we will have quite a pile when it does come. I am afraid the poor fellows who have gone to Richmond will have to wait a long time yet for their pay.
It is kind of lonesome here now you may be sure, so many of our chums and friends have left us. We have got comfortable quarters put up and are getting along very well for the present but not knowing how long we will be allowed to remain here. As you say, if there was no fighting to do, I should like soldiering but the fighting part is not what it is cracked up to be. There is some difference in being in a fight and in being out of the way where you can stand and look on. I have never heard a person say who has been in one fight that he would like to be in another, but I have heard a number say so who have never been in an engagement. I think you are full better off where you are and if you know when you are well off, you will take my advise and stay there, or rather, stay out of the Army. If I was in your shoes, you wouldn’t catch me out here again. I’ll bet I would see U. S. go to the devil first and then wouldn’t.
We are having some pleasant weather here at present. The nights are getting to be quite chilly. I got a letter from Albion about a week ago. The folks at home were getting on after the same old sort and all as well as usual. John & Hub are both well, safe and sound. They were neither of them in the fight and therefore did not stand their chance of being taken prisoners. I have not seen Dan McGary for about a month but the last time I heard from him he was alright.
I want you and Edwin to write as often as you can and I will do the same. Now don’t forget. From your brother, — Albert C. Brown
This is excellent paper to write on hasn’t it?
To Mr. B. F. Brown, Manchester, N. H.
Spared & Shared 21 