Letter from William [McKeand?] to Eliza Quilty

Camp Griffin Nov 17" 1861 Friend Elisa To night your able and thoughtfull written letter came at hand since I wrote you varius changes in the climate also in our laborious and Military life we are as we may say holding the key to the Military Chessboard of the Potomac and inconsequence of holden post pertaining to Reward - and honor it keeps us in constant society Oh how diferent the life the fare of a soldier to the free and happy men who saunter gaily The streets and public places of a peacble town or villia up the thoroughfares of city the [?] or slave pen of the South canott compare with the fast fadin life of a vollunter you may think that I am discouraged I may say in one sence I am but of the only would use and once think of the poor soldier who is daily being himself

by trying to do duty which there is no need of but alass the Viz are doomed Race during this war if it can be called so we are at present camped on a what was once a Southerners Plantation it is now a fenceless and barren place but is yet alive with the poor. Invad drilling walking [?] and [?] slate rakers as we term them we are the advance or hold the advance post of The Potomac There is some Thirty Thousand men encamped within the space of Three miles and we are the only Regimt that has faced the Canon O Lee! if I could get permission from some power to Draft men in Vermont I would bring a few of Them Blk hearted [illegible] Republicans that I have herd telling so much of These Fireeaters [?] Their men that would not give a cent or come within 50 miles of a battle Field if it would save the Union They talk if they had Command of the Army of The Potomac they would go strait to Richmond if ever they go to Richmond it will be after we have been there mo I am not enterely homesick but

If I was to home I would stay there but at the same time of they will move on towards Bull Run or send us to Port Royal as we expect to soon I will be satisfied. I have not so cowardly hate to The Rebs but I would like to see them make their way home, as fast as we have done to give you my Opinion. I think it will be some time before we beat them probably The next news you here from here will be of a serious nature probably will ^awaken The meaning of history to find a Bloodier Battle, the advance is to be made soon [?] and There many a poor fellow who is nobly standing The privations of a Soldiers life for The Cause will yes thousands and maybe your humble Servant change This life for a life unknown to all, I have said that I would not complain of what I had to do but when They come to make Slaves out of white then its time to complain Our Brigade consisting of The [?] are compelled to drill 4 times a day and we are The only brigade we are [accused?] first

thing in the morning by the D-ble sound of an old Kettle drum for Roll Call then [?] a [slate?] go and pack up your Knapsac put everything you own in it and be driled around a 80 acre lot for an hour then come in and draw nailes Then go out again for perhaps 2 hours then clean your guns Eat some pea soup and drill till dark and then stand for Dress parade come in and run like a pack of hounds for a Land full of doe, or a cup full of what they call coffee come back and answer to your name go to ground and sleep and all on acount of the officers who do not know how to drill

I have complaind Longe enough tell [Fate..?] Rush I should here from him by letter and tell her I will answer now be [?] and answer this soon tell Luke to [essay?] to have [Jo?] would like to be in Brandon now give my love to all enquiring not forgeting yourself No more at present I Remain Yours Truly Billy

P.S. The weather is Freezing and it is cold sleeping in tents now Direct Camp

Griffin Co B2^nd [?] Regt Washington DC

W McKeand to Eliz Quilty