Camp Sprague June 6^th/61

 

Dear Susan

                        I have delayed this communication till now in hopes of acknowledging the receipt of the Havelock but it has not come yet. The [faded] came through safe also the kind note containing it for which I am much obliged. When I wrote last I did not know the destination of our first division (of two guns) but soon found it out we proceeded to the Aqueduct Bridge outside of Georgetown City where the Ohio & Chesapeake Canal crosses the river Potomac and took a position commanding the river & road relieving a section of Sherman's Battery that had been there some time on guard. During that night there was an alarm of an attack about three miles above us and a company of riflemen from Georgetown passed us at the double quick We were all on the "Qui vive" the rest of the night but to no purpose as we were not needed. They brought some prisoners down by us in the morning rather sorry looking specimens captured without any firing. The famous Arlington Heights frowned upon us while there but were occupied by Federal troops / It seemed rather queer that only four days previous a picket guard of the enemy had held the same position. Our duty lasted 28 hours when we returned to the quiet & monotony of our camp again. Meanwhile we lost the celebration of Election day in Rhode Island observed here faithfully & noisily by our boys. An arrival of fish & clams on ice from Prov. turned out spoiled so that a chowder was served up which only reached a few messes serving to remind them of Narragansett Bay but we had none &c &c. On Friday we were inspected by Major Sherman drawn up in a line with all the other Flying Artillery in the city some sixteen guns & it was a very pretty sight I assure you. After promenading the principal streets in a new uniform given us that day we retired to our camp expecting a summons every moment but it did not come till next Monday Eve. On Sunday our First Lieutenant left us to take command of the other battery in the 2^nd R.I. Regiment he was so well beloved by us all that several shed tears at his departure and his place cannot be filled by any of the officers left behind. Last night our own sergeant left to join the next battery for three years so we feel quite lonesome in our division. We expressed our feelings so audibly as to awaken jealousy & arouse the ire of our Commandant and I expect he will tighten the reins on us to pay for it. Monday eve we were sent out on the Harpers Ferry road to lie in ambush for a couple hundred scouts of the enemy who had been seen the previous night on it but by some means they were warned of us when about three miles off & made themselves scarce. We were close to the famous duel ground of Bladensburg with an infantry company on each side of the road among the trees & one cannon planted in the middle of the road at a place where it forked. Our appearance in the morn rather took the good farmers by surprise who were bringing their produce to market. This same place has been guarded ever since by our men taking turns and keeping a close communication with our camp. A severe and protracted rain of 2½ days has confined us indoors up to / present writing relieving us from the usual drills & you would be astonished at the ingenuity displayed by the boys in their efforts to kill time it was a fresh roar of laughter every two or three minutes until my lungs & throat were quite sore. If we ever grow fat it will be on laughing for our rations do not improve a hair & I have to get an outside slice every day or two. I reckon however that it is a part of the trade which has its ups and downs like all others and some thing we shall get used to in time but it will make some of us think twice before enlisting for three years. We have two pet dogs in our mess a little yellow one with a curly tail & named Rhode Island the other a black & tan terrier very diminutive with a perfect rats tail named Gov Sprague and they afford much pleasure to us with their antics. I have been training little Rhody to ride on my back when my knapsack is on but I should much prefer a cat (as you know) if I could get one like "Neebles". Every one has a kind word for them and they seem quite fond of us never trying to leave here at all. We have tested our guns at the arsenal twice lately & prove them to be as accurate as Gen James has often declared & pleasing the U.S. officers much. It is very cold & raw today & we have considerable flux & dysentery in our midst. With particular love to Emma your husband & yourself, I am (as yet in good health & spirits) your affectionate brother

                                                                       

Walter

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