CIVIL WAR LETTER HOME RANDOLPH COUNTY, VIRGINIA

                                                      Randolph County, Va

                                                      October 12^th 1861

                                                               Dear Father

                                                                        I received your letter and Ma and Emma’s and the papers you sent me and commenced to answer them but had not written long before the company was called to go to get there pay so that I had to go and leave the writing for some other time, the next day we were ordered to move our camp to Huttonsville which is 8 miles closer to home. On the 11^th (yesterday) I was on guard but tonight I have time for Lieutenant Davis has given me permission to write in his tent and let me use his pen and ink and of course I accepted.  The Lieutenant is not very well but hopes to soon be around. Do not tell his wife that he is very sick for it might trouble her. The supposition is that we are on our way to winter quarters. The whole brigade is gathering together here and as soon as we get all of our close and some rest we will come to Indiana. This brigade is reported at Washington by the Sur. unfit for duty which makes me think more that we are coming home. If we do come to Indiana to winter quarters I will get a furlough to come home. I will get one anyhow for the Colonel told me that he would give me one soon but I do not want to get it here for will have to pay my own way if I do. I did not draw as much money as the rest of the boys for they were in the state service and I was not.  I drew $25.44. I have it all in gold but the 44 cents. There was some persons discharged that I might have sent it home by but I did not like to trust them. I will try to bring it myself when I get a furlow. There was about 50 men discharged this week. I understand that Frank Doughty was among them. He has not done anything since he has been in the service. I told you in my other letter that I had not been here for nothing had got into a battle. To give a description of the battle is more than I will attempt until I can tell you with my own lips. You say that you have not heard whether I ever got that dollar you me or not. I got it. I am as well as ever I was but it is not the case with all for the fever is in camp. It is adapted to this country. We have not got it in our company. It’s almost 10 o’clock. I must quit writing. Give my love to all. Write. Kiss all for me. Your affectionate son,   Luther Beaver