Fort Independence Boston Harbor

Oct 20^th 1861

 

Dear Cornelia

                        I have at last set down to answer your letter. it came some time ago but I am no hand to write letters as you no doubt remember. I came here the 24^th of last month and it so it will be four weeks Tuesday. I like this life first rate so far no complaints to make of anything. I do not get any butter with my bread or milk with the coffee but get along. I have just as much to eat as I am a mind This noon we will have some good baked beans and bread. we have them every week. There is no Sunday / in the army in the forenoon there is inspection of arms quarters and and everything. it is half past ten when that is over and there is nothing more to do. We get up at half past five it was five till yesterday. The drum is beat and we have to tumble out doors. then the roll is called. Revelle it is called. the roll is called at five at night and again at nine. we must have all the lights out by 9¼. I have to get out of my bunk pretty sudden some mornings. We are all the soldiers on the island now and have to do guard duty. it is not much work to do that. there is but one sentinel at a time. I was on from 8 oclock Friday morning till 8 Saturday. I was on guard two hours and then off four. I was on from 12 till 2 in the night, so I had the midnight watch 

 

            It is a good company there are some first rate fellows. A couple of boys from So. Royalston were here Tuesday I thought them quite good boys and hope they will conclude to join the company. I was glad to see them. do you know them? I wish Milton would come down here. I would do all I could to make him have a good time. There isnt much besides the fort on this island but I could get off. I have been off the island but once since I came here then I went to see Martha that was two weeks ago Friday. I do not know yet whether I shall go home again or not. if we stop here long I think I shall go home and I would not be surprised if we stayed here all winter and we may leave here before next Sunday for West Point. We will not go South for one six months I / suppose. We will have to be drilled in a great many different things and it will take time to do it. I have drilled some though not very steady. Most of our time has been taken up in moving. We have moved four times since I came here but now we are settled. I hope though I don't care, I would rather leave here for West Point. I get plenty of reading here and have really enjoyed myself. I have not got any dress uniform yet but wear a fatigue uniform. as soon as I can after getting a dress coat I shall get so photographs taken and shall send one up your way. I have had a letter from Lavina and Sarah Martha. I like to get letters pretty well but think very likely I shall need them more six months hence. I expect to come back in three years all the better for my experience. You must not expect a letter every week but I will try to write occasionally

Jerome

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