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

Camp at North Branch Bridge, MD
January 28th 1862

My dear Mary,
This is a miserable wet, cold, gloomy day. It commenced to rain and sleet sometime last night and at daylight this morning everything had two inches of Sleet on it. Our tents were all completely shingled with ice. This is by far the most disagreeable weather we have experienced in camp. It is now noon & & still it rains and sleets. I have often heard people from Virginia and Maryland complain of the cold, severe climate of Indiana, unless this is an exception to the weather generally in winter. The climate in Indiana is not half as disagreeable as it is here. The weather has not been intensely cold as I have felt it in the west, but it is constantly raining and sleeting, which renders camp life not only disagreeable, but very unhealthy.
Capt. Brook was detailed a few days ago, with two men and sent home to recruit men to fill up the Regiments. I insisted that George should go with him and Col. Kimball was kind enough to let him go. They were ordered to Report for duty at Indianapolis and are at their post by this time. So George is now at Indianapolis or some other town in the state. I told him to write you when he got to his post, which he will of course do. He may have an opportunity of coming home and he may not, tho. I hope he will. I don't know where they will be stationed. I think they will be sent to Tim Haut [sic] or Vincenes and they may remain at Indianapolis. Col. Mayham left Camp for home on Monday morning last. His succession has not yet been appointed. If the appointment has been made it is not known here. It can't be many days now until we all know who the lucky man is, as I told you in another letter. Capt. Foot seems to be the rising man, although it is clearly understood here that he is not entitled to the promotion. He may not get it after all, but I am strongly inclined to the opinion that he will be the lucky man. It is expected every day that Col. Kimball will be promoted to Brigadier Gen. I have told you he was acting in that capacity now, so, our Regiment has neither Col or Lieut. Col. Now. Major Narrow is the acting Col. And we have no Major atall. He will be the Lieut. Col. In place of Mahan, and then, I think Capt. Foot will be the Major then, if Kimball is promoted. Narrow will be the Col. And Foot will be the Lieut. Col. Then some other Capt. in the Regiments will be promoted to Major. I think all these changes will take place in less than a month. New Regiments are still coming here from Ohio and Pennsylvania, two new Ohio Regts. Passed here last night going to the Camp at Handcock 43 miles east of our Camp on the Rail Road. I understand it is the intention of Gen. Lauder to open this Rail Road as soon as possible to Harper's Ferry from Handcock to the ferry it is 41 miles. The Road between Handcock and the ferry is in the hands of the Rebels. From the ferry to Baltimore and Washington it is open and in the hands of the government as it is also from Handcock west to Wheeling. So there is but 41 miles of this important road now in the hands of the Secesh. This must be opened at any hazard. It is now quite probable that the next fight will be on the Rail Road or at Winchester. Romney is not worth holding & hence it was evacuated. Gen. Thomas has won a fine victory at Summerset in KY, tho, the 10th Indiana suffered the brunt of the battle. The Hoosier are getting quite an envious Reputation in the army, even among Regulars. The fact is, they have to much reputation now, for there own good. So much fame as fighting men, only Serves to put them in the greater danger. The Indiana Regts here are Regarded as the most reliable men on the Potomac, especially on the upper Potomac. While I feel proud of Indiana and her brave soldiers, at the same time, I can plainly see and feel that in order to maintain that proud position we will most likely be exposed to the most dangerous positions in the army. I am in usual health. The health of the Company is good, considering the wet and cold the men are constantly exposed to. It is late. I must close. I have received but two letters from you since I returned to the Regiment. Write me as often as you can. Love to all at home and especially to you and Siss. Yours Jas. R. Kelly