U. S. Arsenal. Hospt.

Washington D.C.

March 15^th 1865

 

Dear Father Mother Sisters & Brothers I now take pen in hand to acknolage your kind and welcomb letter of the 12^th it came to hand on the 14^th and not haveing a great deal of time to spare i did not answer your letter yesterday I am hapy to hear that you are all well and more so to state my health is improveing every day i am able to eat nearly every thing i had a striped bass for breakfast the other day / he weighed 3 pounds and cost 60 cts they begin to catch cat fish perch pumbkin seads and bass also herings soon they will catch shad the weather is very warm i have not had fire in the Ward but once in 2 weeks and the Thermomiter stands 70 degreas above zero. there is a great many Reb deserters comeing in now there has been near 100 here at this Post to get paid for their guns in 3 days the Government gives (8) Eight Dollars a piece for their muskets as soon as they take the Oath of Alegience they say they have given up all hopes of whipping the north and the men are discoraged and tired of fighting and want to go home the nuse from the armie is good and the armie is being reenforced very fast now the exchange of prisoners is going on lively now there is not mutch nuse in this place just now I shall try and get home this spring if i can There is now 4 sick in hospital and i am kept pretty busy. I was out in the City today with Mrs Porter. there goes the Bugle for 9 Oclock and i must close i remain as ever your loveing Sone & Brother         

William A Clark

 

my best respects to all Good night

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