Near Alexandria Va

"Camp Distribution"

Aug 10 1864

 

            Dear Mary

                                    When I arrived at the "National" I found a letter from you awaiting me Was right glad to hear of your safe arrival in Michigan. I am inclined to think they were somewhat glad to see you which is better than all the rest. We missed you & Marion very much after we parted at Albany. G & I had a nice visit with Ed. it rained while we were there (Saturday Wednesday) so there was no dust. We visited all the places of interest went to Troy one day. Thursday morning we took the nine oclock boat for New York / the steamer was the "Daniel Drew" The scenery down the river was certainly splendid Especially at West Point and along the highlands the Palisades rise up in huge masses on the west bank of the river for many miles just before getting in sight of New York, and the many beautiful towns & cities sprinkled along the banks of the river called forth exclamations of admiration from passengers who had never taken the trip before. "Butter Milk falls" is a beautiful cascade rushing over the huge rocks into the river below, the rough surface of the rocks making a white spray like butter milk the large government buildings at West Point loom up in bold relief against the sky on the top of high bluffs—Several spruce young Officers got on here with their wives or sweet / hearts. We were hardly out sight of a town or village during the whole trip.

 

            The Hudson River R.R. runs along the banks of the river along the whole route from Albany to N.Y. in many places it runs into the river and is built on spiles. I enjoyed the whole trip hugely but as I am not a poet or an artist can not give such a flowery description as another might. Perhaps George will give you a better idea than I can. Arrived in New York at 5 P.M. and took rooms at the Brandreth House. The next day Friday we started out early and took a trip up Broadway. We first visited Stuarts great establishment a mine of wealth in itself then into the Academy of Design where we saw any quantity of pictures, photographs and statuary, / then into Trinity Church and a dozen other places

 

Saturday forenoon we went down to Central Park. In the afternoon I went over to Brooklyn and visited Mary & Ella Eastman & Mary Hill they were very glad to see me or at least appeared so. I stopped there till Sunday at 12 oclock and had a grand time.

 

Sunday night at ½ past 7 we left New York arrived in Washington at six oclock Monday morning. I reported to Gen Augur (from whom I received my leave of absence) and he assigned me to duty here but I am not going to stay, I applied to be sent to my regiment & am going down either today or tomorrow with a large lot who are being sent to their regiments this is a camp where all wounded Officers & soldiers are sent after they return from / furlough. All stragglers that are picked up are sent here, also deserters and bummers, so you see we have a homogeneous crowd here representative of a hundred different regiments they are collected here and when a sufficient number are ready they are sent to their regiments. it is kind of a shady command & I shall be glad when I am relieved George is here with me he has quarters in the barracks and will go down to the front when I go. Nearly seven thousand men are now collected here & about three thousand will be sent off either today or tomorrow.

 

            'Tis terrible hot here although a good breeze continually prevails the nights however are cool & one / can take some enjoyment then if he can't during the day

 

Cannot stop to write more today. Give my love to Edwin, Lydia Mrs Howard & all inquiring friends please remind L. that she is in debt now

                                                                       

Good Bye

Your Aff Brother

Charlie

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