Washington Dec 23. 1861

 

Dear Sis

                        This is the first stormy day there has been since I arrived here. I do not have to drill when it rains and so have a good time to write letters. It rained all this forenoon and now it has commenced to snow but melts as soon as it reaches the ground this is the first snow here. It has been very warm and pleasant here and has not been at all like winter. The folks here say it will be cold enough here within a mother month. I am close to the Potomac River, about two miles from the city. the River is a mile and a quarter wide here. I am near the long bridge. The chain bridge is four miles or so up the river. I am stopping now in a large brick building near the arsenal. I have a good little room with a fireplace. there are six besides myself in the room and a dog named Carlo that we brought from Boston 

 

We do not have much furniture only a board bench that we made. I am writing now sitting upon my knapsack and have the paper on my knees. At night I sleep rolled up in my blanket, first spreading my rubber blanket on the floor. it must be the hard side of the boards I am beginning to think, but still I have not been homesick at all and have a much easier time than I ever expected. I have to drill 3 or 4 hours each day. Last week we commenced the skirmish drill and we had considerable running to do. In a few days we are going to recite in the Tactics. that will be evenings.

 

I have been all over the city of Washington but went in the evening mostly. I went all over the capitol building and the Smithsonean Institute in the day time. The last is only a little way from here. I can go over to it any day. It is free to all and contains a museum library and pictures.

 

            Martha wrote me that you hurt yourself after going home. I hope it will not trouble you. I traveled very comfortably from Boston here. was glad to see Father Mother and Andrew at Worcester. I have just heard the we may expect to be ordered to the Canada / Frontier but the news is to good to be true. It is just like a great many other things I hear. I do not think there will be any war with England. I would a thousand times rather be north next summer than South We will not leave here for some time as we have a great deal to learn.

 

There is any quanity of tools that belong to the company, about two thousand shovels for one thing. I can not write any longer.

 

I had to leave just as I got so far and go out to drill on the sidewalk We are drilled by our Lieutenant, his name is Weitzel. he is the only commissioned officer we have yet. I like him very much.

 

We had five recruits come to day from West Point. They were sent there from Boston There is 101 men now all told. Yesterday I went to church twice, in the forenoon and evening. I went to a little Methodist meeting house near here. there was not many out to meeting. A week ago yesterday I went to a catholic church. It is Christmas Wednesday I don't think I shall hang up my stocking this year. I hear a great deal of news / here. I just heard that Fort Sumpter has been taken by our forces. I hope it is true but I have got so I cannot believe anything.

 

It is getting towards tattoo and I have not got much more to write. You must ask all the questions you please and I will try to answer them. Direct Co. C. U.S. Engineers Washington D.C.

 

Good bye sis.

                        Bub

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