Harry Stewart
Photo Courtesy of the Thompson Family.

Headquarters - Second Maryland Regiment Camp Carroll
January 3, 1861 {Sic - should be 1862}

Dear Mother,
Yours of the 26 1861. I intended answering before but I'm so very busy that I could scarce spare the time. But tonight I cannot sleep and I intend to write a little any how. I am much better. No one could remain sick long if Amanda was their nurse. She is so kind to me. In my next I shall probably send you $15 if we ever get paid as I expect. Although we are under marching orders as yet the order to march has not been given and we still remain anxiously expecting forward movements. You need not wish that "you had not to use my money". You are more than welcome to it. It is yours by right and I keep enough to supply all my wants. When I am a commission officer we will have more. Do not tell Amanda you are poor though it would make no difference to her yet I would not she should know it. She knows I am and is also anxious that sisters should write to me. Can they not write a shell full between them? It would be nice for me and I will write to them. Why does not Hennie write? If you see her tell her "I want to know." I am glad Ginnie has done as you want her to. [Ginnie is our great great grandmother.]

Tonight the snow is falling but thanks to the Colonel I got a good warm fire and the prospect of a warm bed though it is hard. But my body has got so now is fits the boards well and I sleep like a top. The certificates of which you speak are of no account my name is at Washington on the Mustard Roll and the Colonel knows where I lived or where you live. This is all that is necessary. But to please you I will send you. On Christmas Day I was at Amanda's all day also on New Years so you may know I fared well.

Take the house that suits you best. After we get away from here I will not have to spend so much but now I am at a good deal of expense. My new chevrons will cost $2.50. They will be gold with an eagle above the elbow.

I scarce know whether I can come home now or not. The Colonel says he cannot get along without me. I do not intend he shall be able to do so nor shall I get married before I return. Amanda is too sensible to agree to it.

I have heard from cousin Mary Coombs and wrote to her today. Amanda says you will think her foolish in allowing me to send you her Daguerreotype and is afraid you will think hard of her. Now you must not because she does almost as I say and I say she will write to you if you write her. But don't for goodness sake tell her you are poor. Love to all. Tell Ginnie and Mattie to write and Hennie too.

I am your loving son
Harry H. Stewart

{The bottom part of this letter is missing}