Camp Stoneman        

Giesboro, D.C.

May 23^rd /65.

                       

Dear Sister.

            I got a letter this afternoon from Sally and if I have good luck tonight may be she will get an answer by next Saturday night.

 

            How long is it since the last one was received? It is almost so long ago that dat I cant tink when it was. Up at Winchester though wasnt it?

 

            You will have to give up the idea of thinking about getting any root to your flower. that I am going to send to—who, you, or Omma? Are you sure that you will get it? I know you used to be pretty good at guessing, particularly upon a certain time when I had / run away from home. You saw me and "guessed" I should catch it when I got home. You guessed right that time sure enough, and to my sorrow too; for as soon as I came within reach of Mrs. Kook's paw I did catch it. Right Smart. The smart most decidedly But on this particular occasion I am compelled to inform you that you have lost your money, as well as the flower, root and all.

 

Ayers Spindles up considerably above McKenzie, being as he says five feet seven inches, while McKenzie is five feet four or four feet five, I dont know which. as for his being the size of John, Why he aint as big (tall I mean) as the fellow that is your Special War Correspondent in the Army of the Shenandoah. Ayres is a real thick set fellow, thick / as a match and fat as a shingle. We have not measured yet but in the morning I think I will take them up alongside the tent pole and take their dimensions and and send them along on the string indicated by knots.

 

            Today has been the first day of the grand Review. The Army of the Potomac being on the docket today. Gen. Meade and Staff led the van, followed by the engineers, they in turn by the provost Martial and his brigade, then the Ninth Corps, then the Second, and last of all the Fifty. This constitutes the Army of the Potomac at the present time The Old Sixth, the corps of all others is at Danville Va and will probably have a review by themselves when the proper time comes if it ever does.

 

[side margin] Sheridan's cavalry came first /

 

Tomorrow Shermans army will be reviewed and last of all the Grand Review will be the Corps of One Thousand dollar men, the Invalids, and Niggers. What a good smell we will have of them if the nigs go ahead and if its a good hot day I think as the drums are beating I will wait till morning before finishing. Good Night.

 

Wednesday morning 24^th

It is a pretty cool morning and overcoats are somewhat in fashion You want to know how I am. Pretty well thank you. how are you. My feet got well on the march before I got back to Washington. Otherwise I am about as well as usual with the exception of a mild belly ache, head ache, and a gum bile on my heel besides not feeling very well myself.

 

No I am as well as ever, but I cut my finger about half off the other day, and it is a little sore; You had better come out and stay a week or two with me in my summer house till you get rested from that diptheria. It is a curious disorder is it not.

 

[inner top margins upside down]

 

Give my love to all the folks over to Cooks. And a few to the folks in Haywood Hospital.                                                                             

L.C.C.

 

Well I have just measured the boys and have knotted the string accordingly Ayers knot the one furthest from the end. He is about 5-8

 

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I should think by the measurement McKenzie falls far below that you can very easily see. So you have lost the flower But if you are a good child I will send you one some time

 

I met a man by the name of Schau in the Capitol a few days since that is in Co. I. 2^nd R.I.V. He says T. W. D. Lewis is Orderly Sergeant of the company

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