Well hear we are after a march of 7 miles

Camp 106 Regt N.Y.S. Volls.
Loudon Valley
Saturday July 18th 1863

Well hear we are after a march of 7 miles mostly performed in the dark through as mudy roads as ever you see as a good deal worse.  At 6 o clock P.M. yesterday the bugle sounded for us to Strike tents and in fifteen minutes we were in line ready to start[.] we halted for the night about two in the morning, lay down on our [?] blankets and were awoke up in the morning by the rain a falling in my face[.] the bugle sounded in about an hour for us to fall in and about one half of the boys had not got up and now hear we are at 12.N. 15 miles from whare we first started last nigh[t] in what is called Loudon valley[.] we crossed the potomac about 10 oclock last night on the pontoons, and the Shanandoah about 11 oclock[.] we are now on the east side of the S[henandoah] river.  We have stoped now for dinner and I must go and get mine so adieu for the present[.]
Sunset,  We are now out on picket[.] our regiment was ordered out to do picket
duty and we are deployed on the south west side of our camp.  To days paper brings the joyfull tidings of the fall of fort Charlestown City[.] it says the rebs evacuated it and burned it, they are getting somewhat afraid of Admiral Dalgreene [.] he is a most splendid engineer[.] he takes evry thing so cool, he approaches the strong hold gradually[.]
Sunday July 19th Sunset
Today has been very warm but this morning was as pleasant a morning as I have
seen for many a day[.] we were held as a reserve in the woods on pickett last night and we were called at four for roll call and the woods were full of birds singing very sweetly[.] I went immediatly to a small streem of running water and had a good wash and then got my breakfast, While some of the boys went back to bed again untill the order came to march[,] so all they had to eat untill we stoped for dinner was a little dry hard-tack, we only marched six miles to day[.] It is reported to day that they are fighting onely 10 miles ahead of us and the pioneer corps was ordered out immediately to fix the roads ahead three or four miles for they did not know but we should have to go and reinforce those that were fighting. They have jest shot down some twenty head of cattle for our breakfast tomorrow morning, thus ends this day of our lord, 1863[.]

P.S. I am in good health to day and feel first rate so good by for this time D.W.S.
P.S. A Chaplin of one of the regiments gave a short exportation between sundown and dark[.] it was the first bit of preaching I have heard in 9 months[.]

Monday  July 20th 1863
4 P.M. I am well today, we have jest compleated a nice little march of 18 miles[.] we were called up at half past two this morning and got on our way jest [before] daylight[.] we lost two men fer certtain to day fer I saw them lying beside the road. we are now at Ashbys [gap] got through the Cumberland raing [range] of mountains and I believe that they intend to fertafy [fortify] hear[.] the rebs mean to try and come through this gap on their way to Richmond, their cavelry was all along on the road that we come on to day[.]  Last night the chaplin of this brigade gave a short discourse between our regiment and the 126 [?] [.]
Tuesday July 21st 1863
Well hear we are yet at the little town of Upperbill near Ashbys gap. it [appeared] as through yesterday we would throw up some entrenchments but they have change[d] their mind[.] it is supposed now that we shall move a little nearer [to] Richmond and go into camp and wait untill they can send the drafted men down hear to fill up our thined ranks[.] thare has been a detail made from all the NewYork regiments that are enlisted for three years, to go home and fetch men enoughf to fill up their respective regiments to their full numbers, the detail from each regiment is to be, three commissioned officers and 6 enlisted men, those from our regiment were detailed this morning, and are, Capt. Parker from company E transferd from company C.  A.L.T Clark, Lieut Sheperd, Orderlies Powell, V Blackman, First duty Sergt Cullins , & Daniel Booth, One corperal and Private John Ward .  They leave tomorrow for new york[.] how long they will have to stay I do not know.  I believe this draft is causing some pretty warm times in our Northern & Eastern states, but I like to see some of the copperheads brought up to the rack.  I do not wish any one any harm but I should like to see some of those down hear that used to say, “why dont you go to the war” “you can go as well as not” “you are a young man and have no family depending on you” but when their sons wanted to come they thought they had better stay at home, but never mind now. I expect to see some of them down hear now in a few days to stay 9 months with us and make us a good visit and perhaps I will see some of my old acquaintances and if I dont use them [?] will be because the flower [flour] has all played out and the old Lady cannot get any more to make any pies and cake of.  I guess Levi is sputtering some theas [these] days is he not[?] tell hime for me it is all right that I shall be happy to see him and will try and use him as well as I can under the present circumstances.  Tell him that the woman is cooking up a good lot of Pies and cakes for I expect a good many of my friende[s] hear now in a few days.  He can bring his woman down if he wants for I should like to see her and so would my woman and a southeran Lady and northern Lady can get aquantted and they will enjoy the visit so well.  I should like to know who the victims were around the falls to this draft[.] I should not wonder but John a[nd] Austin may be draft[ed] and if they are tell them to try and come to this Regt for we have a good times as any.  If those detailed out of our regt should get as far as the Burg I wish you would give some of them a letter for I should like to hear how you all were at home and god onely knowes how long it will be before we can get our regular mail, it has been now between 6 and 7 weeks[.] Well I must close by requesting you to tell those long faced Gentlemen that are looking around fer a substitute to come in their places that I feel for them but cant cry but if I was at home I would jest take their little $500.00 and come in their places and laugh at them for being such fools fer throwing a way their money and good principals[.] We are having gay times now and can jest as well entertain our friends as not[.] we shall probably dispence with fighting for 40 days now to visit with all our friends[.] I must close[.] I am well so adieu for this time[,] my regards to all my friends, D.W.S.

Rear Admiral John Adolph Dahlgren U.S.A. took command of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron in July of 1863.

Captain Samuel Parker U.S.A. commanded Company C of the 106th New York

Possibly Sergeant Morgan U. Collins U.S.A of Company A of the 106th New York

Private John Ward U.S.A of Company B of the 106th New York