Baltimore Md.            

Oct. 24, /65

 

Dear Sister.

                        Your letter of the 15^th ins^t was received a few days since with much pleasure. I had about given up all hopes of hearing from you, concluding you had blown away or eloped or made yourself scarce in some manner or other.

 

            You waited almost a month before answering my letter. I would liked to had your ear in my fingers a few times, in the interval. If I had you wouldnt have waited so long another time. Now just bear in mind what I say and look out for your ears 

 

About the box. If you have it ready you may send it at any time. The blanket I dont think I shall want, either mine or T. W. D. L.s The reason is that I have fallen—not among thieves—as did the man of old, that went down from Jerusalem to Jericho—But among friends.

 

Two or three weeks ago I went down to the Christian Commission after one thing and another reading matter and bedding when who should I meet there but Mr Bent, formerly of our town. We had a very pleasant chat of an hour or so, he enquiring after our comfort very particularly so that the object of my visit came very easily and naturally the subject of conversation and when I left I brought with me two blankets. more than that, he / said that anything they had I could have whenever I wanted it. Now you see I am pretty well supplied with bedclothes, two cotton bed quilts, besides my army blanket, and Lannings too. He is keeping house now. We had straw ticks issued to us about two weeks ago and with it all find ourselves in as comfortable quarters as generally fall to the lot of soldiers.

 

I sleep on an iron bedstead—on the portico yet, much preferring it to going inside. We have a coal stove in the room, and it is so hot there all the time the bed bugs have just as good a sight as in the summer time. I do not want to bring any more of them home than is absolutely necessary. Unless it comes very cold I shall not move in at all. There is some talk of our going to Fort McHenry the first of Nov. /

 

I was in the Christian Commission Friday and while there considerable commotion took place in the street. Bent raised up the window and pointed out Elijah Thayer of Mendon He was travelling along hollering and shouting an old straw hat in his hand without any brim at all to it. Bent said he was preaching up the idea that he was the true Messiah I didnt think his appearance was very favorable to getting many followers Mine vrow wants me to go home with her after our time is out. She lives in Iowa and offers to pay my fare there if I will go. Her name is Ben. F. Noll. He is away in Elmira N.Y. now on a visit to his sister, and the home of his youth. He will be back the first of Nov. I told him I would come and see him and stay the winter a year from now. We dont bunk together but board at a table by ourselves Butter 60 cents now, pretty high. but then it is very strong and a little goes a good ways so I dont know but its as cheap at that as the weak stuff we used to get at thirty.

 

I am much obliged for the good long letter you

 

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wrote but if you wait to long the next time I shall not be obliged so much

 

I will put in a $20.00 for Mr Cook.

 

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I got a letter from Isabel several days since Also one from the institution of learning on the hill. I shall answer one of these days But they waited too long before answering mine that my answer will not be due before next fall.

 

Lowell C. Cook. Co B. 1^st Regt. 1^st Army Corps Baltimore Md.

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