[Written upside down on top of document]
                                Co C
Direct to H.B. Jewell ^ 52 regt
O.V.I. Camp Dennison Ohio

Camp Dennison July 12/62

Dear Mother

		I have just
received your letter and am
glad to hear that you are all
well. You need give yourself
no uneasing about the hot
weather or hard work affecting 
me. It is not hard work for
me to drill. I like it first
rate & the fare is much better
than I expected.
You are mistaken about
our regiment being called
into the field, at present.
I can drill as well as any
man in the regiment
except a few who have been
in the service before.
It is a new regiment

the old 52 having been
badly cut up, was transferred to
other regiments.
We have plenty to eat and
comfortable barrack rooms,
with bunks, one above another
like the berths on a steam-boat.
Co C. has but 30 men now,
but recruits are coming in more
rapidly since the report that
men would be drafted.
We drill in the barrack room 
which is large enough for that 
purpose at present. when the
regt is full and we get into
the battalion drill we shall
have to go out doors. I have
been drilling a squad of new
recruits two hours a day for 2 or 3
days. I think I get along better
with the drill than almost any other
one who has not drilled more

than I have, but I think it is 
because I took an interest in
it and try to learn. Our Capt
is recruiting now in Toledo.
If Will thinks of enlisting I
wish he would enlist with him
he is a tip top fellow – has seen
service, was in the Mexican war
and since that has been in the
dragoon service on the frontier.
Our company has not its full
complement of non commissioned
officers & I think I shall stand
as good a chance as any of getting
               when the company is organized
in corporal or sergeant.^ I have
the good will of the Sergeant
Major & the Captain: the Lieut’s
have not been here, they are out
recruiting. Every time it is my 
turn to go on guard duty the Sergeant
major appoints me Corporal or
Sergeant of the guard, so that I

shall understand the ropes which 
will be in my favor when the
non-commissioned officers are regularly
appointed. Tell Will to send
me my watch right away as it
is positively necessary that I should
have one when I am on guard.
I did not see [Heath?] & only
went to Louisville.
Excuse the crooked letters for
the floor and table are rickety
& the men are walking & dancing
around so that I can hardly
write at all.
Your affectionate Son
		H.B Jewell

P.S. I have written to Charlie
write every week & I will do
the same               HBJ