Hagerstown, Maryland
July 18, 1861
My Dear Wife,
I now take my pen to let you know that I am well and hope this will find you the same. We are still in this town and will be here for a few days longer. We now hold a post of honor in guarding these two places for General Patterson would not leave any other regiment here but ours for he said he could not trust them. Our boys are bringing in prisoners all the time and we are liked by all. Half of the folks in this town are secessionists so that we have to keep our eyes open for them. There has six regiments passed here within two days bound into Virginia. There were from New York. I do not know when we shall start but it will be soon.
I have nothing more to write about now so I will close this now hoping it will find you well and happy and with the blessing of God and my love. Give my love to Mother and all of our friends. Good night, my dear wife.
From your affectionate husband, — Chet
Chester A. Chapman
to my wife, Martha A. L. Chapman, Montville, Conn.
Spared & Shared 20 