Fort Independence Oct 3^d 1861

 

Dear Father

                        I got your letter just after I had sent one to Mother so I have not hurried about answering besides I have been quite busy this week and have some expected a letter from home. I am contented here now and am not sorry that I joined the company yet. I was homesick after getting your letter but think now I shall feel better. I have not been off the island yet We have moved our quarters again out of the fort and are all by ourselfs it took us three days to get things fixed here but now we have two large rooms, do our own cooking and have nothing to do with the / fort. It is very comfortable here and there is plenty of room. one of our company is cook commenced this morning the companies carpenters are at work making some benches we have a stove in the room and I sleep as comfortable as need be. I have plenty to eat but I do not eat much. I do not feel hungry. We have not drilled this week because we have been busy I drilled some last week.

 

There are about two new fellows come every day. we have about thirty five now there is no one here that I ever knew before but I am getting acquainted and find some good fellows I wrote to Martha and got her answer yesterday I am going to try and go there tomorrow afternoon and come back Saturday I can not help stoping over night but will have to stay at the hotel. I do not know as I can go yet but will try. I do not know / how it will be about going home.

 

            I would like to go and stay over Sunday, but there is nothing I need very much. if we stay here two or three weeks longer I think I will try to get away and I rather think we will stay here for a month though I know nothing about it. I shall not need a watch but one of the company have one. My cloths I have not sent off yet and shall need some of them if I go to Ipswich I can take my valise as far as West Point. I am glad I have it could not get along without it very well. Nancys towels come very handy. There is a sort of store in the Fort it called the sutlers. I can get some things there but have to pay high and have bought but very little If I can not get a pass to go to Ipswich I shall be rather provoked I'll not write any more now till I know / whether I can get a pass or not.

 

Friday morning I am going to Ipswich this afternoon shall leave Boston at three oclock I think of nothing more to write. hope some of the folks will write soon I have borrowed a military overcoat to wear this afternoon we receive ours Saturday. I am getting along first rate and think I'm in a good place good by

Jerome

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