CAMP TENNALLY, OCT. 2 1861
DEAR WIFE –
WE ARE STILL HERE, AND THOUGH STILL UNDER PRECAUTIONARY ORDERS, THE FEELING EXISTS SOMEHOW, IN MY MIND, THAT McCALLS’S DIVISION WILL STAY HERE UNTIL WE GO INTO WINTER QUARTERS. YESTERDAY THE REGIMENT WAS OUT ON PICKET DUTY AND THINGS WERE QUIET IN CAMP. THE BAND STAYED HERE. IN THE AFTERNOON CAME AN ORDER TO ALL THE REGIMENTS, THAT, UPON THE FIRING OF A SIGNAL GUN FROM THE ENTRENCHMENT NEAR TENNALLYTOWN, THEY SHOULD PACK UP BAG AND BAGGAGE, AND CROSS THE POTOMAC. THE GUN HAS NOT BEEN FIRED YET. THIS MORNING COMES AN ORDER DETAILING CO. G (MERCER RIFLES) TO GO TO THE ENTRENCHMENT AND LEARN TO WORK THE HEAVY GUNS THERE MOUNTED. THIS, AGAIN , LOOKS LIKE STAYING HERE. HOWEVER, I HAVE LEARNED THAT UNCERTAINTY IS THE ONLY CERTAIN THING IN REFERENCE TO MILITARY MOVEMENT.
ALL IS WELL AS USUAL. GEORGE ALEXANDER IS WELL AGAIN. MY LOVE TO ALL. KISSED TO THE CHILDREN AND YOURSELF.
TOM
