May 2nd 1862 [Friday]. Camp Winfield Scott, near York Town, Va.
My dear Father:
I wrote home several days ago but as yet I have received no answer. I received a letter on the 28th that was dated March 24th, the same letter, I am almost sure, that came into camp about three weeks ago, but I was not here at the time and it was thrown back and taken to Washington again.
Last night, about half past eight o’clock, our commanding officers came to the tent and told us to have our companies ready to fall in under arms at 4 o’clock this morning.
General McClellan sent a dispatch that the enemy would, in all probability, make an advance during the night.
This morning we were up in time but everything was as quiet as usual. After standing about two hours we were dismissed.
There is one battery, within half a mile of our camp that has five one hundred pounders and one two hundred pounder, the purpose of which is to shell Gloucester Point.
The capture of New Orleans is a grand thing, if true.
It’s rumored around in camp that there is going to be a cessation of hostilities for a short time, but I can’t tell whether there is any truth in it.
We have plenty of sutlers out here, at least the 10th US Infantry have one, and I know of several of the regiments which have three. They make a great deal of money. In the first place, they sell these things for about three or four times as much as they cost. Eggs, for instance, they sell for 40 cents per dozen; bread, for about twenty cents per pound; and then other things; in proportion. Our sutler told me, Sunday morning about nine o’clock, that he had taken in two hundred & sixteen dollars in cash besides about three hundred dollars in orders. I suppose he makes from two to three hundred dollars clear. Every day he has sold his first cargo and is, tomorrow, going to send after a second load.
I’ve sent for a felt hat, but it’s a little too warm, here, for cap.
As to the news, if there is any, you get it about two days sooner than we do. I believe we have received newspapers two days old, but very often we get them about the 4th day after they are published.
I’ve a notion to write to Mr. Queen and have him send my trunk home by express. I could send the key in a letter and you could have my clothes and other things taken out and aired well so no moths get into clothes that way or do you think that it’s air tight. If Ma thinks there is any danger, I believe, I’ll have it sent home for I have some very valuable clothes in it that I don’t want spoiled.
I have only received two letters from home, since going into the field nearly two months ago. Please write once every week, anyhow, and tell all to write as often as they can and, above all other things, I should like to receive a letter from Ma.
Give my love to all the family. Your affectionate son,
W. J. Fisher
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William Fisher Letter Home
