Camp at Minors Hill Va

Feb 24^th 1863

           

Dear Father

                                    I received a letter from you the 20^th inst also one on the 23^rd I would have answered the first before this, but I have been in the city (Washington) for three days, just returned last evening. Went down to make some purchases of clothing. My time run out on Sunday at 12M. but it was storming so that I could not return to camp. It happened that our brig. commander was in town and I got him to extend my pass for 48 hours longer.

I got a very good suit of clothing with trimmings for $35. Trimmings cost at least double what they did six months ago. I paid $10.00 for what / would not cost more than five when I was at W— last.

 

I saw Mr. Patterson of Old Brighton. he introduced me to Dr Wallace. I called at Dr W's room yesterday, spoke to him about getting "Leave of Absence" for a longer period than can be got from the Regt. But he says that it is impossible to get a "Leave" through the war department now, but he told me that if I get a "Leave" for 10 days he thought he could have it extended. I came out to camp intending to send in an application, but found that our quota is full, and therefore will have to wait until one of the officers returns before I can get one through. It will be a week or more before their time will be out. It is now / near the end of the month and I have Muster Rolls to make out and it would not answer for me to go away before we are mustered for pay, which will be on the 28^th. I dont think I shall apply until after we are paid which will be about the 10^th or 15^th of next month. In fact I could not come before that time for want of money. I sent all to you except about $50, and it cost me over $40 while in the city. Washington is the worst place to use up money that I know of. Cannot get boarding for less than 2.00 a day and very poor at that.

 

I think that it would be as well to buy both of those stocks (Beaver Co and Allegheny City) I know of no better way of investing the money

 

By the way, How much have / I sent home. I have no account of any except what I have sent since the battles on the Peninsula. I lost all of my memorandums and papers at that time. I only wish to know through curiosity.

 

We had a severe snow storm Saturday night and all day Sunday I meant to have come out to camp Sunday could not on account of the storm. I went to church at the 1^st Pres. Ch. in the forenoon. It is the first time that I have been inside of a church since I left home. It seemed so strange to be among civilized people again. It called up many recolections of home The Minister gave an excellent discourse from the same text I once heard Mr Swift preach from viz. Acts 24 chap 28 verse

 

After dinner I called on a family with whom I became acquainted with last summer. They are a very fine people—rather aristocratic—but for some cause appear interested in me.

 

Sunday evening I went to a meeting of the American Christian Association held in the Hall of Representatives. Mr Chase Sec of Treas. was in the chair. The meeting was addressed by several distinguished men. I have not time to write more Give my love to Mother & the Children.

           

I am Your affc't Son JSWinans

 

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I forgot to tell you about my health. I did not feel very well at the time Mr B— saw me but still there was not much the matter with me. I never was in better health than I am now. I weigh 170 lbs—not an evidence of bad health is it—weigh 40 lbs more than I did this time last year. I was sick then and thought I would have to quit the service.

JSW

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