Fort Independence Sept 26^th 1861

 

Dear Mother

                        No doubt you are anxious to hear how I am getting along and I have been here long enough to get some acquainted and will try to tell you something of my circumstances I think it is going to be a very nice company. there are now about twenty five of us and there will probably be a few more come on the boat this afternoon they come in faster now than they did. Tuesday afternoon when I come there was four besides myself we came over here and walked down to the quarters and I left my valise then we came up here into the fort to get our beds. Each one has a tick full of straw not quite as large as a common straw bed but large enough for two to lie on. we got our blankets after getting our beds. At supper time we all go into the cook room and get about a pint of coffee with a piece of bakers bread as large as half a loaf that you make we had that for supper each night. the coffee is very good and so is the bread. for breakfast we have the same with some meat, yesterday morning pork and this morning beaf. for dinner this noon we had bread beaf soup potatoe / cewkumbers. we life as well as I want to and get more than I can eat. go to bed at nine and get up at daylight a little before. I and another fellow put our bed top of each other and sleep together. I sleep as well as at home. We all sleep in the same room now the first night in a room outside of the fort Yesterday morning we moved up into this room which is in the fort or in the walls of the fort, for right over my head the grass is growing and over some of the rooms the cannon are placed. There is some talk of us moving again out of the fort. Yesterday I was sworn in and received my dress. I got two pair stockings two pair drawers to woolen shirts a pair of shoes pair of pants and coat or blouse and cap. I have enough under cloths now to last a year. We are alowed so much of every thing each year what we do not draw we have money instead we can over draw and have it taken from our pay. I did not know that yesterday or I should not have taken any stockings or shirts but I have room for them in my valise and so can keep them. My valise is very handy.

 

            To day is fast and there is no drilling. I have not drilled any yet but will tomorrow I expect. I saw John Hopkins here this forenoon and Muloanie. John Hopkins said he some expected to go to the Valley Saturday if he does I guess I will send my cloths home for I do not need them and it will be less trouble to me / I can pay him as well as the express. Our dress now is dark blue just the same as the regular soldiers it look neat I do not care to be taken for a regular. There are some hard fellows among them and I would rather go into any thing than to go into the regular army as a private. Our company is entirely seperate from them and we fare different. it does not seem yet as though I was a soldiering some of the company are good singers and some are tip top jokers keep me laughing half the time. Most of the company are smart fellows there isnt one that isnt above common soldiers. most of them are about twenty one or two. all have good educations or most all. I have not been home sick in the least of for an instant It is splendid to go out in front of the fort and watch the ships sailing about. The ships as they go to sea pass this fort leaving it on the right. They are sailing past all the time. I like to watch them. Yesterday we heard cannon over Boston way and run up on top of the walls. it was over to Charlstown the Prince was there this forenoon there was an alarm of fire here in the fort it was some beds got afire some of the regulars smoking. There are rooms all around the fort in the walls. I am in a room now that is about 16 feet long there is another room back of this. the wall here is about two rods through. the wall next the / the water is about four feet thick of stone it is stronger on the sides next next the ship channel I am getting some tired of writing and will not write more now You need not send me any Boston papers I get the papers before they get to the Valley I will write to Martha soon as I can good bye Jerome

 

Direct Care of Cap^t M^cPherson

75 State St

Boston

 

Friday forenoon—I do not know what time it is now I am afraid every minute of being called to drill. I saw a fellow from New Worcester this morning his name is Braman or something of the sort. I never see him before he is musician. We do not know how long before we go to West Point. as soon as there is 40 or 50. one of the old company said he thought we would stop at West Point five months. We are drilled a great deal longer than the regulars I went into the salt water yesterday. it tasts just like salt and water. It seems like a lot of Academy scholars that I am with and not soldiers I am getting acquainted and like first rate you will get this tomorrow I think I shall write to Martha by Sunday

Od

SOURCES