Shafer, David H., fl. 1862 to [Lydia A. Bishoff]

Shafer reports that times are fine at present, for the men can go anywhere that they please inside of the pickets which are placed 2-3 miles from camp. But there are not as many apples and cakes and pies as they had previously at Camp Willey. Also, there are hardly any women, even though there were "any amount" of women at Camp Willey. The men have to work one day out of the week in the entrenchments, but they do not work "to hurt our selves" and they are allowed "one dram a day." He worked yesterday, and George and Fred worked today. There is quite a stir amongst the soldiers who "don't like old abs procklamation." Shafer tells Bishoff that "if they go to free the dam black cusses I shal go with a good many more for I shal not fite for the black cuses." He also says that he wishes he had been at the parties Bishoff spoke of, "for they shouldent nock you down with a broomstick." He tells Bishoff that he is glad to hear she is enjoying herself, and that Mr. Miller and Mr. Low paid her a visit. He also informs her that whenever she and Mr. Low get married, he wants her to let him know beforehand so that he can come home. He then remarks that he doesn't blame Bishoff if she does get married, "for there is nothing like it … I am going to get married some of these days my self," he says.