M. Barracks Washington D.C. April 9^th/63

 

Sis

            I received a letter from Hary, dated the sixth, yesterday, he says he has been very well since he returned, and I think he must of cept remarkable well, as he says he has not been under the necessity of takeing a dose of physic since he returned. I still continue here at the N. Yard. and I think I like it better than when I came down, one reason is because there is more pleasant weather the last few days than when I came down, and to day is going to be very fine. As far as duty is concerned it is as pleasant here I think as any place I could get, especially at this time in the year, but in winter it is not so pleasant on account of the yard being so mudy and slopy all the time. But when I am sent away I will most likely be sent south on / the blockade and now I think is the most proper time to go at least the time I would like to go at any rate, so I shall try to get off as soon as I can, but I am afraid I can not for two or three months but there is a sloop of war laying here now, with steam up, that I think I will try to get on. she mounts four or five heavy guns, and I understand she is for the Charleston Blockade but I believe she has very good officers, she looks to be a very good craft, but it is not atall certain that I will get on her. I would sooner be on a better one but I may get on a worse one, but if I do get on her I think I may call her home for a couple of years. I understand she has been on the blockade at Charleston and is here geting repaired but the painters has been at her for some time and yesterday afternoon and last night she has been trying her engines. I think she will leave in a few days. / There is one thing she is nothing but a wooden craft and most any ball unless it had a good deal of conscience would go right through her. Last Tuesday was a hapy day among some of us here. We where all paid off our last three months pay. They allways pay us off every three months while on land, but this time they where a few days late so the report got out that we where not going to be payed off this three months at all. I was paid $32.40 cts and a dollar and a half for washing and there is allways two dollars a month cept out which we receive at the end of our time and twenty cts Hospital money as it is called a month, but I understand that it is not for the Hospital but for the marine house at Phil^a all marines in the service twenty years can go there and spend their days. When we are at sea we do not get paid untill we come back, but / when we get liberty which is not very often we can draw some, which is taken out of our pay. I wrote to Jack last Saturday which is the second or third one I wrote without receiveing an answer I think I must have the wrong directions when you write again send me the wright ones. You can tell Hary I will not answer his letter as he hears from me through you. I still continue well.

                                                                                                                       

Charley.

 

[upside down]

 

April 9/63

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