Winchester Va. April 7^th 65

           

My Dear Sister,

                                    Your ever welcome letter of April the two arrived last night at about ten oclock. It came to me at that time though the mail came to the company rather earlier in the day and was given out but as your humble servant was on a guard at the time he had to wait until relieved before he could have the pleasure of reading its contents. You see we are in the habit of moving from where we now live pretty often. Last Monday night I was detailed to go on three days picket to start the next morning but when the time came to go an order came countermanding that and both Regiments started for this place. I believe we are bound to do all our marching in the rain for every move we have made since leaving Washington has been on a rainy day / and this days march was not an exception to the general rule We started in a rain and it rained all day. At about three in the afternoon we arrived at the town and halted just outside in a wet muddy [faded] fit for hogs to sleep in. Soon after we stopped. I was detailed for guard and a line was established around the whole camp to keep the men from going into the city In a short time the camp was moved to another place near by and very soon the guard detail from Co B. was ordered back to the company and then we went into the city to do duty as Provost Guard We are quartered on Loudon St. in the Republican Printing Office and have regular bunks to sleep on. the beds range in tiers one above another like berths. Every man has to be on duty half the time One day on the next day off rather hard duty There is some prospect of being relieved and sent back to the regiment all upon the Captains account / He was drunk as a fool last night and today and has been placed under arrest the report is now that we are to go back Well I dont care much. I had about as lives go with the regiment and have a few minutes I can call my own which I hardly can here. Every soldier and citizen is required to have a pass signed by the Provost Marshall, else he is liable to be put under arrest and confined. It seems rather tough to have a sentinel placed in front of a man's house walking back and forth, halting everyone with "Got a pass, Sir", and he obliged to stop and show it maybe twenty times a day. If he has none away he goes to the guard house. After nine o'clock, no person is allowed on the streets at all except officers and the guards, pass or no pass. last night the Captain arrested one of Hancock's aides and that was the principal or immediate cause of his arrest. Somebody said he arrested Hancock too, but I guess that is not so. 

 

Winchester is a right smart of a place a heap bigger than I had an idea of I should judge it contained before the war something like fifteen or twenty thousand inhabitants a good many of the buildings are in ruins.

 

There is one large building in particular that shows the ravages of war it is a handsome three story residence with balconies in front, broad marble steps, and its whole appearance indicating that it was once occupied by one of the F.F.V's. It is now used as a stable and as you pass along the street you see horses heads in the windows which once were filled by the "aristocracy". News from the front is coming in rapidly and each succeeding day adds another victory to the one preceding The bulletin board to night announces the capture of Gen^s Ewell, Kershaw, Button, Corse and many others with prisoners cannon &c Everyone thinks the war about over and the men in the co. are asking each other what they shall do for a living they are already planning an expedition to Mexico to drive out the French.

 

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That meant, "Provisional Division"

 

Gen Brooke's I think is now above here somewhere

 

            My overcoat I left with Hobart to send home

 

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I shall write a note to Isabel in a day or two.

 

I do not see where my letters go to and why they do not come through safe

 

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Weather very warm and pleasant, trees and flowers in bloom

 

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Remember me to Mr. Mrs. Cook and all the rest of world if you have the time to spare,

                                                                                                            Lowell Cook

 

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Co. B. 1^st Reg^t 1^st Army Corps           Albert Parkhurst is married I see

 

I have washed two shirts two pair of drawers and my pants today

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