Cliffburn Barracks.

Washington D.C.

Jan. 15. 1865.

           

Dear Sister.

                        Your letter of the 11^th instant arrived safely at its destination yesterday afternoon, finding me doing guard duty around the camp.

 

            The mail is distributed about noon and that hour found me on post, but as soon as relieved (8 o'clock) I made tracks for the orderly to see if any letters had come. "Nary a one for Cook", he said, and I had received that answer so many times that I had almost ceased to be disappointed at receiving none.

 

            After dinner I was reading in the guard house, and after a while one of the men asked if I had got any / letter? No. I answered there was none. He said there was, Lowell Cook thats your name is it not? Yes I told him, and so there was a search commenced for it, and at last succeeded in finding it under the table. Pretty place for a letter wasnt it? But I soon ripped it open and read the contents expecting to hear some of you were sick, the reason that no letters had come for me before.

 

Well you will probably want to know how I am and as that is pretty near the first question on the docket, that one I will answer first. I did not catch cold or get sick in any manner in getting here nor have I been sick at any time But I have had a little "Bile" on my side that was pretty sore and has run a good deal and runs some now now. Last night I felt as though I was going to have some thing or other scarlet fever or striped fever I dont know which head ached, coughed / most all night, throat all out of order and besides I did not feel very well myself and have not felt very well to day though not so bad as last night. it was cold and windy and I did not sleep at all on account of being on guard. I begin to think that was rather a disastrous expedition that New Years day but then there wont be another one in some time so thats some consolation. Yes I paid my fare from Jersey City only I didnt. Then Tom has really enlisted has he? I did not think he would I sent my clothes home last week one day by Adam's Express fare not paid. I wanted to pay it, but they were so busy I couldnt wait, and when they were ready I couldnt be there to pay them. I think I must have been absent minded or I should not have forgotten so many things I want all the pictures that were sent to me when away the first time and the photographs. No you need not send my discharge papers or the shaving apparatus unless Ham comes. I think there must be something in the moon after all dont you? /

 

No! I shall not laugh again when Emma has the sore throat. I dont believe four biscuit would do me for breakfast anyhow and hardly fourteen Well you will want to know what we are up to wont you. We were armed and equipped last Friday night. You know we were going to have the Spencer repeating rifle put in eight loads together. well the ones we have got we can put in 17. but then come to fire it off they would all go off together. We have got the latest pattern of the Springfield rifle musket though they say we are to have the seven shooters some time as soon as they can be had, but I doubt it. Co. "A." went away to Giesboro last night to the government corral (horse pen). Co "C" has not got filled up yet. Our officers are down upon us real "regular" discipline. there is a place for everything and everything has to be in its place. if it aint away you go to the guard house. We have got the best lot of men I ever saw together There has been plenty of whiskey here, but there has not been any fighting or quarrelling among any of us

 

[upside down through written]

 

And such times as we have is enough to make fellows sides ache with laughing. The capt was in here a week ago tonight mingling with the boys. He was pretty well over the bag and could sing about like a bull frog. But he was bound to sing for all that.

 

I wrote a letter to you same time last week thinking to send you some money but I never sent I was intending to carry it to the city and mail it there but my "pass" did not come and has not till this time so it has not been sent. I dont know hardly what I am writing there is half a dozen of the men here at the table singing songs out of a book so you must excuse all mistakes and poor composition [?] All go at it again We have sung the song book thro and the singing is over.

 

I think I will put in a $100. bill for Mr Cook if you will be kind enough to take it over to him some day. I did not think I should sit up till this time to night but I have and I think I will write a letter to Foss and subscribe for the Patriot for six months.

 

[through writing continued]

 

John said something to me a while ago about selling the wood I have got in Milford. If he has any chance to sell it at any time I should like to have him and he may retain any part of it he pleases to pay for his trouble. there was some where about 3 feet 8 inches or perhaps a little less when I unloaded it. There may be considerable less by this time. I want to get a pass before many days to go into Washington. When I get one I shall go by Finley Hospital to see if there is any one there now that was there last summer.

 

            Please write as soon as you can so I may know what becomes of my Bill. William I mean.

 

            Give my respects to all. the school ma'am too when you go there again. Has Lucetta and Isabel got my letter yet? I wonder if you are "able" to spell "able".

                                                                       

Yours Truly                Lowell C Cook.

 

            I wore the mittens last night for the first time they are first rate.

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