Palmer, Horace Letters (1861-1863)

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Union City 
Camp Brown
June 28th 1861

My dear Sister

I was much grat-
ified at the reception of your 
very interesting letter and as 
Mr Winfry expects to leave 
for Somerville to night I have 
concluded to answer it though 
I know of nothing at all 
calculated to interest you except 
my continued health and 
fine spirits. I don’t pretend 
to say that I am partial 
to camp life for such is 
not the case you know I 
never liked to attend camp 
meetings ever and here we 
have all the evils with but 
few of the attractions 
of camp meetings But I did 
not come with the expectation 
of having a frolic but from a

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sense of duty. I stand the 
hardships so much better 
than I expected and enjoy 
what few luxuries that are 
at your disposal so prodig-
iously that I am comparative-
ly satisfied. If I can only 
keep my health I all will 
be right with me. With regard to the provision box. I would say 
hurry up the cakes and provis-
ions of all kinds nothing comes 
amiss; only when it miss com-
ing. I would mention a few things 
I deem almost indispensable 
butter, hams, light bread, biscuits, 
coffee, apples dried or otherwise, 
any vegetable that are easily kept 
and cooked corn in particular. I 
suppose you have some by this time and oh that citume and cake 
I recon you will think it re-
quires a great deal to support life 
at Camp Brown but I want you to understand I have a huge 
appetite and not a great

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variety to satisfy it with I am 
afraid you will think I de-
vote too much time to the eat-
ing department I want to imp-
press ma with the 
belief that I am well and know 
of no better way than to call 
for food I will try and use 
it with discression and mod-
eration, the health of the camp 
is generally good Mr. A.M. Moore 
is quite unwell in fact has not 
been well for a week or more 
I am in hopes he will soon 
recover his health and appe-
tite The rest of your acquaint-
ances are well. It seems very long between your letters taking 
every other view of it times 
[passed?] rappidly. I loose about 
two days every week Much love to all my friends This 
Mr. Pa, Mr. H Lewes and as 
many other of the household as 
you see proper. I suppose you paid Mr Wetherby that ten dollars 
he kindly lent me

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Write very soon and 
send provisions frequent-
ly. You are welcome to 
peruse my desk’s letters

Your brother 
H Palmer