Martindale Barracks

Washington D.C.

Co. D. 19^th Reg first Bat. I.C.

Jan 23^d 1864

Sat       

                                                                                                           

Dear Father Mother Sisters & Brothers I now take pen in hand to inform you of the safe arival of your kind and welcomb letter and i can tell you i was happy to hear that you wer all well and am more so to say i am in very good health and the best of spirits you spoke of your hoping that i would soon sea you all and be frea from uncle Sam you must not let your fears run a way with your body at some future day i shall be free and i am / not at all woried for all is for the best you asked me if i could speek aloud that you will know when you sea me i did think of getting a furlough but i did not get my pay this two months and i spoke to the Cpt and he told me that i would have to wait from four to six weeks then there would be a chance he thought I shall try and sea one of ower Senators this comeing week and sea what he thinks of my case there is not mutch nuse here at present the weather is very fine as warm as in june not a bit of snow and / the ice on the river is gon so that boats run regular again there is a large number of soldiers reenlisting here very fast you spoke of there being a great deal of sickness here there is no more here than any where as i know of there is considerable many of the boys that has the mumps & a quite a number sick with the small pox but as soon as there is any simptoms of it they are sent to the Caleramma Hospt or small pox Hospital in Georgetown. So it has no chance to spread as i have no more to write i will close / leaveing you all in the care of God who doeth all things well. Give my best respects to all Father Mother Sisters Brothers & Friends

           

Good by for this time From your loveing Sone & Brother

W^m A Clark

 

Direct as the hedding of this letter we have been lettered and placed in the 19^th Reg for the present                                                                           

W^m A Clark

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