Kelly, James R. (fl. 1861-1862) to Mary Kelly

18 January 1862
Camp North Branch Bridge

Dear Mary
As you can see by the Caption of the letter we are still encamped at the north branch Bridge. This is a long, high, double bridge extending across the Canal and the north branch of the Potomac river. It is a most splendid iron bridge. Six miles below Cumberland our camp is named after the bridge. Your letter of the 11th inst. with two little letters from Siss, came to hand pen last mail. I was glad to get them and happy to hear that you were all well at home. I hope Siss will continue to write me as often as you do. She can write to Uncle George & Alex as will Jack. We would have a nice camp here if we could only have pleasant, agreeable weather, but we can't expect that at this season of the year. The weather has been very unsettled since we came to this camp. We have alternately had rain, hail, snow & sleet every day since we got our new tents. They came just at the right time. The brigade has formed here yesterday and consists of the 13th & 14th Indiana, the 7th Virginia and the 84th Pennsylvania Regiments, so we are now in a new brigade, commanded at present by Col. Kimball. There is another Brigade at the Camp at Pottersound Creek two miles east of us on the Rail Road and the third Brigade is at Cumberland & New Creek, thou, we have three batteries of artillery and 8 companies of cavalry all in the command of Gen. Landes. Col. Kimball is now acting as Brigadier Gen. I suppose Gen Reynolds has resigned, tho, I have not seen his Resignation noticed in any of the papers. It may have been done. Lieut. Col. Mahan tendered his Resignation today and I think it will be accepted at once, which will bring about a change in our field officers. Col Harrow will of course be promoted to Lieut Col then I am of the opinion that Capt Foot will be appointed Major as he is the ? Capt in the Regiment. I would like very much to get that appointment myself and if Capt Foot was not in the way I would get it, as I am the next oldest Capt as it is I don't think Foot is atall anxious for the position. He wants to resign. Three of our Capts have tendered their resignations in the last two days - Brooks, Marin and Owen - tho I understand their resignations will not be accepted. Col. Kimball told me this morning he intended to send Capt. Brooks home to recruit for our Regiment, which will satisfy him. I can't understand why it is that so many of our officers want to resign, unless it is that they are too tender and trifling to endure the Service. I may resign myself, but when I do there will be a good and sufficient reason for it. I would prefer to die in the service rather than to resign and come home without a good, sufficient cause for it. I am sorry to find that some of our officers don't seem to care, but are willing to do anything to get home.
I wrote you only three days ago from this camp. Then we were rather expecting a fight. It has not taken place yet, and not much prospect of it at present, tho, such a thing may happen any day. Our Gov. Jackson is in Command of the Rebel army that we now have to contend with. His headquarters is at Winchester, only 28 miles from our camp. He has 28 thousand men, or claims to have that number. Our officers don't believe it. Mrs. Webb and Mrs. Major Harrowmere here yesterday. It was quite refreshing to meet with two Indiana ladies out here in our camp. They are staying in Cumberland, where they have all the comforts and accommodations that can be had anywhere. Cumberland is a nice little City. If I could get to be Major of the Regiment then I could afford to have you and Siss at Cumberland, too. I can't expect that position at this time. It will be my turn next. That is should their happen to be another change, which is not at all unlikely, for I think Capt Foot wants to get out of the Service, as well as some others.
I sent Lieut. Alanzo his final discharge yesterday, which I hope will relieve the profession of much trouble and painful anxiety. Lonnie, I hope, is at home by this time and furnished with a Suitable outfit, Servant & is ready to report to his command for duty. The little scamp took his gun & accoutrements off with him and I had to charge him with them, this is boy like. He has no use in the world for a gun. He may think he will not have to pay for it, but in that he is mistaken. George and Alexander are both well. Both the Regiment and Company are in tolerable health. Nothing the matter except colds. Our Regiment has not been paid Since my return to it. The Ohio here are now being paid. I hope our turn will come next, and that not many days off.
That little box came to hand at last all right. Lieut. McCollough just got his Frank today. It has been lost ever Since he returned to the Company. He and Lieut. Slocum are both in fine health. Slocum will not return home for some time yet. None of the officers can get leave of absence just now. I was quite lucky in getting leave at the time I did. Had I failed then I would not have seen home yet. I am glad my bean blossom man fetched you that pig, that, with the others will make as much meat as you want, then you can get a piece of fresh beef when you want it. I must now close - the drum is beating for dress parade. Love to all at home, especially to you and Siss. God bless you both. Yours must truly & affectionately.
J. R. Kelly
p.s. You must correct all mistakes as I have no time to even this letter over. It may be full of blunders, please excuse them also.
J. R. K.

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