Baltimore Md.

Nov 8^th 1865

 

Dear Sister.                

Your letter was received as you have probably heard before this, in due time. You see I am writing in pretty good season according to agreement(?) though I have not agreed to the once a week arrangement yet, and if I do not wait a week each time, you must not get angry and scold at me.

 

            The reason I am writing now is so that I may get word to you before the box starts.

 

            I had the misfortune last night to have my overcoat stolen. A man made his escape from the slave pen by way of the roof as many more have done / before and I suppose on his way down concluded to rig himself out in my coat. At any rate it is gone whether he took it or some one else.

 

            I moved my bed inside a few days since and left my things outside hanging up on the piazza, so whoever took them didnt have any bother in taking them. I washed two shirts yesterday and packed them away in my knapsack just before night The first thing this morning after I got up was some things lying on the floor which I knew was put inside the night before and I saw that the knapsack straps were unbuckled, so I thought some one had been there.

 

            After breakfast I took a look and saw that all the things were turned bottom side up and my / best pair of stockings gone. That was all I missed then and did not think of anything more. While eating supper to night I suddenly made the discovery that I had not seen or taken notice of my coat and come to go out to see, found 'twas really gone. Lanings knapsack hung over mine with nothing inside but a pair of pants and come to look where they were, dey wasnt dar. That is all I missed and am glad he did not take my gun or dress coat both of which were hanging there. If I could only have seen him when he was taking them, he might have had them in welcome, but he never would have had an occasion to use them I would serve him the same as a rebel in the field or a dog among a flock of sheep but I did not see him. /

 

If you have not already sent the box, I would like to have my overcoat thats at home put in it and my gloves too. It is too short a time to serve to draw another and pay twelve dollars. It has been rather chilly here for the past week and for that reason I have come inside the house.

 

B. F. Noll my old woman has got back from furlough and we eat sweet potatoes and bread and butter on the window sill morning and night again.

 

The paymaster will have to furnish me with another supply of greenbacks pretty soon or we shall have to give up going to market. I have got a $1. left and shall have to buy a quarters worth of stamps out of that in the morn. Am on guard tomorrow off two days and on again Sunday and keep on in that way. Our first lieut is under guard to night

 

[margins]

 

Give my respects to all. I believe I shall answer Lucetta's letter in a few days. Wirz is to be hung day after tomorrow [faded] Lowell C. Cook.

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