Every night while in my bed

Some thoughts come flitting round my head

They oft recur to home and friends

How strong the tie of love that binds

Each and every one of you

Rise conspicuous to view

When wife and children all appear

Each and every one seem dear

Every day and every night

Duty says prepare to fight

Conscience says go on to war

Rebels say stay where you are

I am now prepared to go

South or north to meet the foe

So if I die as many do

You may know I fought for you

Mother dear and children four

Among you I shall come once more

Round your fire and on your bed

You will see me rest my head

Just as soon as this war cease

And all the states..... on peace

Never think the time is great

Ere though I may be forty eight

Certainly for by God's word

Righteous persons prayers are heard

I believe so do you

Some have prayed as Christians do

Since we have left our native state

You know anxiety is great

Just with you as other wives

Unless I'm very much decieved

Love brings many anxious hours

In this lower worth of ours

And it seems the heart that's true

May not always stay with you

Could I just now your faces see

Rich would be the treat for me

I each one of you would kiss

Such for me is earthly bliss

Since the time I saw you last

You know my lot from home is cast

Peace oh peace God let it come

Our own land and every home

Lonesome doubtless is your lot

Lively mine as yet is not

Yet camping out agrees with me

Could I have my family

Know dear wife I beg of thee

By the love you have for me

Every day I wish you would

Try to keep your company good

That's the way I do believe

You and I should try to live

Come what will I call it good

Coming as it does from God

Remember now from whom this came

In the first letters is your name

Sure they.......flung

You'd find your names from old to young

It is now Monday after dinner. I think this is the hottest day we have seen since we left Conn.

At least it is hot enough and I thought this morning at 9 it would be hot so I told Capt. I thought I would not go out.

Consequently I have been in my tent for a shade.....while here in my tent I was taken as I often am with a foolish streak in my head for writing and the result was as you see in the foregoing Acrostive or what you see fit to call it. You will see that the first letters of all the lines spell all your names,

There is a man in our company named John Acker who is sick and has been some time complaining.

I hear that Lieut.Ayers is going with him to Co.... I also hear it said he drank some liquor at Baltimore that was poisoned and perhaps he took something else there that was not healthy. I don't know how true it is. I think John ought to go home for I think he is fainting all the time

I.N.Crissey

My wife and children five in all

Your llovd and loving names I call

Although were many miles apart

your all enclosed within my heart

My Esther dear and loving wife

For you I jeopardise my life

I take my rifle in my hand

And forward march to see.... land

I'm ready now at moments call

To march and fight to stand or fall

And live or die in God we trust

Because I know our cause is just

So if no more you see this face

Please in your bosom keep a place

For one I know that is loved well

By our for whom my life I sell

Now Janie next I call on thee

And beg of you remember me

Obey your mother and be kind

to old and young and peace youl find

My oldest child, my lovely Jane

May my request be not in vain

And if all things don't suit your mind

Pray live in peace with all mankind.

Remember Janie what I tell

All good examples copy well

All evil things sprun with disgust

And in your Maker place your trust.

Next little Julia twelve years old

who loves her father more than gold

To all your mates be good and kind

Then in all places friends you'll find

Dear Julia when I am away

Be a good girl and nightly pray

That I to you return once more

And kiss you as I've done before

Those dear young twins I'll not forget

Although between us bounds are set

I cannot go to see the lambs

because my time is Uncle Sams

Now Polly C. and Betty too

I have some further work to do

I cannot home to see the babes

Till I get through for uncle Abe

And now my family combined

Although for peace I am inclined

Yet while this strife for union last

I feel my lot for war is cast

I have to doubt but think it true

That I shall come again to you

Once more I say my faith is strong

That god will help this work along

I think this war was made to test

The souls of men from east to west

And when we've suffered out Gods will

I think he'll say .... arms be still

No doubt you think as well you might

My mind to be in foolish plight

I write just as I feel inclined

What at the moment comes to mind.

Now Sunday night the hour of mine

I feel somewhat for sleep inclined

These verses never was commenced

Till since we all were in our tents.

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