DIY History | Transcribe | Civil War Diaries and Letters | Andrew F. Davis papers, 1862

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12_1862-09-30-Page 02

We have orders to march from here in the morning but where to I cannot tell  Our baggage has never come up yet and I do not know whether it ever will or not Sometimes we hear that it is captured by the rebs, then we hear that it is burned up; then again we hear it is at Bowling Green. So we have come to the conclusion that we know nothing about it.  We have received orders that we will not be allowed to take a trunk with us anymore and that all we will be allowed to carry with us will be what we can put in a valice.  So if ever I see my trunk again I will Ship it home.  It is pretty well worn but I guess it will pay to send it home.  When the order come that we must get Valices evry one made a rush to the city to get one and the result was that the supply was soon exhausted and the prices out of all reason.  Some asking as high as $15. for them.  One dealer had quite a supply of quite Small trunks on hand.  So he cut the handles off of the ends and put one handle on the side and then in place of being little trunks they ware big valices and as the order did not say how big a valice was to be most of us got one of them, for which we had to pay $5,00 which is about double price.  Evry thing a Soldier has to buy is very dear owing to the rush for them.  I bought me two excellent woolen Shirts today but you will open you eyes in wonder when I tell you that I had to pay $7.00 for the 2 shirts.  I am getting me a pair of pants, vest and Jacket or roundabout made for which I have to pay $20,00.  I also bought Some Socks, suspenders and a bandana handkerchief besides Several other little articles, and I have also took the trouble to get me Several good meals Since we have been here.  When I come to think that I had not Set down to a regular table to eat for nearly 9 months, and I am earing $106,00 per month I conclued I would be a little prodigal for a day or two  I have received Several letters since I have been here but nearly all are old.  I got one today from Newton which was written the 24 inst which is the only one that is any ways late.  I received one from Wally Smith one from Tom McKee and one from Ferman and all want an answer but I must have a better place

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We have orders to march from here in the morning but where to I cannot tell Our baggage has never come up yet and I do not know whether it ever will or not Sometimes we hear that it is captured by the rebs, then we hear that it is burned up; then again we hear it is at Bowling Green. So we have come to the conclusion that we know nothing about it. We have received orders that we will not be allowed to take a trunk with us anymore and that all we will be allowed to carry with us will be what we can put in a valice. So if ever I see my trunk again I will Ship it home. It is pretty well worn but I guess it will pay to send it home. When the order come that we must get Valices evry one made a rush to the city to get one and the result was that the supply was soon exhausted and the prices out of all reason. Some asking as high as $15. for them. One dealer had quite a supply of quite Small trunks on hand. So he cut the handles off of the ends and put one handle on the side and then in place of being little trunks they ware big valices and as the order did not say how big a valice was to be most of us got one of them, for which we had to pay $5,00 which is about double price. Evry thing a Soldier has to buy is very dear owing to the rush for them. I bought me two excellent woolen Shirts today but you will open you eyes in wonder when I tell you that I had to pay $7.00 for the 2 shirts. I am getting me a pair of pants, vest and Jacket or roundabout made for which I have to pay $20,00. I also bought Some Socks, suspenders and a bandana handkerchief besides Several other little articles, and I have also took the trouble to get me Several good meals Since we have been here. When I come to think that I had not Set down to a regular table to eat for nearly 9 months, and I am earing $106,00 per month I conclued I would be a little prodigal for a day or two I have received Several letters since I have been here but nearly all are old. I got one today from Newton which was written the 24 inst which is the only one that is any ways late. I received one from Wally Smith one from Tom McKee and one from Ferman and all want an answer but I must have a better place