Camp Hicks                                                                                                                                                          Annapolis, Maryland                                                                                                                                                          November 13, 1861  Dear Father:        I received your letter to-night and was very glad he hear again from the loved ones at home. I never experienced such delight at receiving letters as I have since I have been here. It seems for a moment to carry me back to those loved scenes that I remember so well. You must write to me father, mother, sisters, uncles, aunts, cousins and friends, and although I cannot have time to answer all, yet a letter to you father, or to mother will do to let then know how and where I am, and how I am enjoying myself. If there is any privacy in them, you can tell them the rest.        I said I was glad to hear from home, but I was doubly glad to hear from you as you always write such good letters, so full of the best of advice and words of good cheer. I have just written a letter to George Wright, and it is now nearly bed time, so you must not expect a very long letter.       I am progressing finely in my business. I find that I am getting quite well posted in Battalion drill. Think that I am getting along well personally too. Spend most of my spare time in study and writing. Our regiment is improving in drill very fast. A report is current that we are to be General Burnside's bodyguard. I think as well as you that we are to go south soon, perhaps very soon.        I find that my dignity is increasing naturally daily. It seems perfectly natural for me to command, and the men all execute my commands readily. I expect we shall be paid off soon. If so, I shall probably send home $100 or more for safe keeping.  There is one more thing that I should like: a Smith and Wesson's six inch, barreled revolver. You can take pay for it, it you wish, out of the money I send home. I think the pistol I have now is not powerful enough. Send two hundred cartridges with it.       It will be Thanksgiving a week from to-morrow, I see by the papers. I shall think of you then, and although not present in body shall be in spirit, if such a think is possible. I hope you will have a pleasant meeting.        As "Tattoo" has sounded I must draw my letter to a close. Tell Ba that although I have not time to answer her letter, I was very glad to receive it. I was surprised to see that she could write so well.  Love to all.                                                                                                                             Yours truly,                                                                                                                               W.F. Draper           I don't know who Ba was. The general had two sisters who died in infancy, well before the war, and one, Frances Eudora, born in 1847, who was living at the time he wrote. Draper also mentions Ba in the first paragraph of his May 2 letter.                        Draper Letters Menu                                 Draper Menu                             HOME