August 2nd, 1861
I will write you a / long letter when / we get in camp
Pittsburgh August 2nd/ 61
My Dear Mother
I got down here / safely & have been very well & have / got almost entirely well of my cold. / Gan is well & well contented. We/ are still upon the steamer & expect to / leave this at 2 o’clock P.M. tomorrow/ (saturday). I hope we will not be / disappointed, as we are all very tired / staying here. I was up at McKeesport / the folks are all well there. Did not / see any of Youngs went to the house & / they were not at home. I was only in / McKeesport about 2 hours, the boat / came along about 2 hours sooner than / usual, so I did not get much talk / with anyone. I believe Em Young & Irene are going along with Mary Jane to Freeport but not any further. / Gan was at McKeesport while I /
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was up in Clarion Co. It is pretty / warm here and I think we will/ be pretty well “broke in” by the time we / get down south. The town is full / of soldiers coming home, and they all/ look well, hardy & all very much sun / burnt. And nearly every one of them / likes camp life very well and are going back again. I have seen / a great many fellows of my acquaint / ance. A good many more of them / than I thought were out all together. / I saw “Oscar Sutherland” this morn- / ing he is just returning & is going / out again. Looks as hardy as a pine. / Knot was very much surprised to/ see Gan & me. Wm. John Galbraith / is in town but I have not seen him Yet / as soon as we get to camp I wil write to you & give/ you the necessary directions to put upon a letter / for me. I must quit & go to supper / now good bye.
Gus
