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

21 January 1862
Camp at North Branch Bridge, MD
My Dear Mary
As I have nothing to employ my time this evening and not withstanding, I have written you two letters in the last week, I can do nothing better than write you a short letter this evening. I know of nothing of much interest or importance to write, nothing has occurred at our Camp since I wrote you last. I think I told you in my last Lieut. "Col" Mahan had Resaqued, which will of course cause some changes in the Regiment and it may cause some changes in my company. Old Man Buntin, our Regimental quartermaster, has been appointed Brigade quartermaster in the place Buntin, this is one change, and I think it was made to pave the way for another. I am claiming the appointment of Major. That is, if I am entitled to it, and I am now inclined to think I am. I am now satisfied that we commission is two days older than Capt "Foots" in that I have the advantage of him. The fact is, I have the oldest Commission in the Regt. So, if the date of Commission has anything to do in the matter. I am of course, entitled to the promotion. I wrote to M. C. Hunter in relation to the matter two days ago and also, to a friend at Indianapolis. Hunter will have time to do something for me if he will. The appointment will not be made until the appointment of Col. Mahan has been accepted and approved by the Secretary of War, at Washington. It will be Several days yet before we can know what will be done. I have said nothing to anyone here relative to this matter, except Major Harrow. I think he is all Right. I am sure he is not in favor of the appointment of Foot, but he may be in favor of the promotion of Capt. Koons. But, he is the Junior Capt. in the Regiment and I don't want anything said about this matter at home, for fear of a disappointment. It will not do you know to build on a Sandy foundation. Col. Kimball has not yet been appointed Brigadier Gen., but he is now acting in that position, and will, in all probability, get that appointment yet. If he does, Major Harrow will be the Col. Of the Regt., then whoever gets the majorship now, will be the Lieut. Col. At once, on the promotion of Col. Kimball, but we must wait patiently. Time alone will develop all these changes. Some of them may never take place, but others will and that not far distant. I am as well as ever. I was in my life, except a cold, and it seems as if I can't get clear of that. Nearly my men have bad colds and are coughing all night. I hope we will have nothing worse among us, that is bad enough, as I told you in my last letter. It continues to rain, hail, snow & sleet everyday up to this writing. It has been snowing nearly all day today and is turning cold this evening. I hope the ground will be frozen solid in the next 24 hours and continues so until in March. It would be much better for all of us. Cold, wet feed here is the worst thing that can happen to men in Camp. I am now boarding with a Rail Road man living in our Camp. I sleep in my Tent and take my meals with him at #3.00 per week. He sits a good table. It suits me much better than living on dry bread & salt meat and then while I can live and take care of my healthy I am strongly inclined to do it. When we move from here, I may not have the opportunity for a long time of doing better than taking camp life. The Potomac has been high, out of the banks for the last three days. It is ten miles to the Junction of the North and South Branches of the Potomac from out Camp, tho, its quite a large River. It is not navigable until it reaches the tide waters of Chesapeake Bay. It is full of rapids. There is the finest Canal I have ever Saw from Cumberland to Washington City - 189 Miles. It passes all the way down the Valley of the Potomac and the Ohio & Baltimore Rail Road, passes down the same Valley from Cumberland to Harper's Ferry. Your can imagine the importance of holding this Valley. The Ohio and Baltimore PP is without doubt one of the grandest & finest roads in the United States. It's Bridges, grades, cuts, and Tunnels are not to be eaqueled [sic] by any other Road in the Union, or out of it. The lands of Maryland as far as I have Saw them, are the Same as the lands of the Old Dominion. Quite Broken and thin, but after all this is in Many aspects a fine old Country. There is an bundance [sic] of the finest Cole[sic], Iron and Stone, especially the granit [sic] which I think is the finest and most durable stone that has been found in any of the States.
Of course, I can't now tell you when we will move next, or where to, I don't think we will remain here long. We can't move now until remain here long. We can't move now until the small streams run down. I must now close it 10 Oct and Bedtime. We have had no mail for three days. The Rains have caused a slide on the Road & stopped the Trains. It is Said the train will come through tomorrow, then, I expect to get a letter from you. Write me often, and I will do the same. Love to all at home, especially you and Siss, George & Alice are both quite well, Yours Most Truly,
J.R. Kelly
Tuesday morning, Jan 22nd, 1862
All quiet this morning on the upper Potomac. No alarm last night. Gen Lander is now in Command of 16 thousand men, and three Batteries on the upper Potomac. Gen. Jackson is supposed to be in Command of about the same number at Winchester, Romney and Morefield. Jackson is the Sesesh [sic?] Gen that we have at present to contend with on the Potomac and he is the same man we had to contend with all last summer at Cheat Mountain, and Green Bryen.
McCollough enters upon the discharge of the duties of his new office this morning. All the commissary were turned over to him last night. I am fearful Lieut Slocum will not be able to get leave of absence for some time yet. Gen. Lander refuses to grant leave to any of the officers now, on any account.
No account of the paymaster yet. All are anxious to see him. The Ohio Regiments were paid a few days ago. I think our time will come next. It is a little cooler this morning and not raining. The mountains in the distance are white with snow. Our camp is now dreadful muddy. The men are cearly all well. I have but 5 in Hospital & they are at Cumberland. I feel quit [sic] well. Good by [sic] J. R. K.