Saturday Afternoon   

Oct. 7^th 1865

 

Sis:

            I have a letter from you & also one from Harry which is unanswered.

 

            Time is passing as usual with me, beside the guard duty I have nothing to do, but help to keep my quarters clean. The rest I spend in reading and other amusements, such as the barrack affords and when nothing else offers I take a stroll around the Yd, / which is beginning to look quite natural and home like to me now, yet it always furnishes something new to pass the time. The four new vessels they are building, (one to be the double-twisted Monitor "Quinsigamond") are getting along finely. Yesterday the "Guerriere" was taken out & to day the "Franklin" was halled in to the dry dock. The "Tycony" & "Tuscarora" has been fited out and sent from the Yard and "Powhatan" will soon be ready. Since I last wrote you the "Tuscarora" & "Powhatan" have taken twenty five or thirty men from this barrack. I judge it will be some time before any more Marines will be wanted from here. The barrack is quite full now, the "Niagara's" / guard, some fourty men joined us the other day and are now waiting their furlough which they will get in a few days. One of their number is Sergt. Murphy.

 

            The principal attraction by way of amusement outside is the "Boston Theatre" where M^r & M^rs Charles Kean are now performing and will make there last appearance this afternoon. Last night I was to hear him play "Hamlet", which he done to a respectable house full with considerable applause.

 

            When I know I am to get my descharge I will leave you know.

                                   

I am well

Charley.

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