Diaries
Camp Griffin, Va.
March 4th, '62Father,
I received your strange letter the 28 of Feb. which I hardly know how to answer. In the first place you did not answer my inquiries directly. You answered interogatories in such a manner that some things look rather dull to me. Now what made you answer the question. Did I miss it because I did not sign the allotment roll in the manner you did. I told you the reason why I did not. I told you that I thought I could send my money home by letter easier and be less trouble than to have it go to the state treasury first. You said you thought that it would be a damper on my moral character and it shows an ungovernable appetite for the luxuries of life and a disposition to spend as I earn like my uncle Charles and also shows a wants of respect or confidence in you as surity for the money which mortifies you very much. Now the next time again write. I hope you will clear up things and explain all so that I shall understand your meaning. There may be such a thing as you did not understand me. I also wanted to know if my money was worth more to you than to let here at pretty good interest. This you answered as if something was wrong somewhere. I am sorry your pride is so moertified on my acct. As for my character I will leave for this to tell. I will stay with the Monkton boys on mother's account. I am very well contented with them. Think the Vt boys will move before long. Also the whole Grand Army of the Potomac. John Elliot went up to Chainbridge Hospital in an ambulance yesterday: he is not able to march, most of the men that are unable to march and carry their knapsacks are lugged off to some hospital. Some are at the Brigade Hospital near Chainbridge some in Georgetown. Some in Philadelphia and some in Baltimore. Harley Sherman is going to Georgetown this afternoon or tomorrow. Think he will get his discharge in a few weeks. You say you think the war will never close as long as McClellan is as pro-slavery as he is. I disagree with you now there. I think he is acting wisely and I think the day is not far distant when we shall be led onto the field of battle and win a Great Victory if we Monkton boys are not to intemporal in eating hard crackers, for our intinairance consists eating such food. Where did the report come from that some of the Monkton boys are getting intemporal also the report that J. Roscoe has to carry sand. Write all about it and also the names of the intemporate ones. Think some of the Monkton people had better stop their slander and do more towards putting down the Rebellion. Our Co. picture was taken sometime ago. Do not know as you can pick me out. The boys say that I look natural. Do not think that I look as I did when I left home. Cannot get the picture before next payday. Do you want that I should get my picture taken on a field alone beside the Co. picture? It would cost 75 cents. J. Tracy says that he has not sent $20.-- to any one but sent an order to draw said money to his father. The letter was directed to his mother. Have rec'd one paper from uncle Olin. Have you rec'd one paper from me with a ball cartridge in it. Tell mother not to worry about me, because I am enjoying myself first rate, and I presume that I do not suffer as much as she does. If it is much of a task for you to write to me you need not write any oftener than you want I should to you but all the particulars write.
Yours respectfully C. H. Dean.
Source: Photographs and letters courtesy of Alden Dean, Casper and Martha's great-grandson.
