Baltimore Md.

Dec. 19 1865

           

Dear Sister

                                    It is a long time since your letter was received and I hardly know what you will think has become of me.

 

I meant to have written yesterday and day before yesterday too, but both days slipped by without writing at all. Perhaps it may be better late than never so I will go to work today.

 

            We have had a pretty severe touch of winter weather for a few days, cold enough to freeze up most all the water pipes in the house, one of them flew open the others proved strong enough to the cold.

 

There has been no snow yet to make any stay upon the ground. Wednesday it snowed pretty near all night, the next day it all turned to mud and / made pretty nasty work travelling in the streets. Thursday was the funeral of Brig. Gen. Morris, who died at Fort McHenry and all the regiment including company B. turned out to escort his remains from the fort to the Philadelphia depot. The troops marched at company front through the principal streets to the cars keeping time with the band playing funeral march Co "B" was just twice as large as any other co present. it was broken into two companies and marched in that way commanded by two captains. All the other companies and the Eighth Regulars who were with us drew regulation hats, feathers, and scales for the shoulders about two months ago, and upon this occasion appeared in full rig. Co "B" never drew theirs as neither the captain Provost Marshal or the men wanted them and so of course as we didnt have them we couldnt wear any at the funeral. We presented a rather curious appearance among all the "hats / and feathers" and were the occasion of considerable remark upon the streets.

 

            We had a nasty time before we got back to the quarters and a long time too, it being three in the afternoon before we got through. Bean soup didnt stand any sight at all that day for dinner, and we were ready for supper an hour after that. Last Thursday twenty men were marched out of company "A" the first that have been discharged from the Corps. I think Ma must have been slightually mistaken in regard to this corps. The First Veteran Army Corps and The Veteran Reserve Corps are two different organizations altogether. I would as soon belong to one of the U.S. Colored regiments as to that Reserve Corps. They were formerly called The Invalids but Grant when he took command as Lieut Gen. changed their name. Among all troops in the field they were known and are to this day as the "Diarrhoea Corps" a name they will hold as long as organization is in existence So now dont you ever say anything more of my being in the Veteran Reserves

 

As the time keeps passing away day after day so are we approaching the time when we shall break up and scatter ourselves over the Union. The first man in this company is to be discharged next Friday, Serg^t Leasur, the rest all follow within two weeks. The discharges are all being made out now. Noll told me this morning that he had just seen mine in the office. everything is done except signing, and that will be done just before handing them over to the men. The slave pen is now entirely empty not a man in it the last one being sent to Fort McHenry this morning. It is now being cleaned out preparatory to being turned over. the big safe in the Office was sent down to Hancock's Hd Qrs yesterday and every thing is being got in readiness to close up all matters belonging to the Provost Marshals Office on the First of Jan.

 

            What is Mr Cook doing this winter anything I shall have to be looking out for something to go to doing before many days chopping I couldnt do enough of to keep myself in fire wood. I want the government to pass a law giving us two or three thousand dollars so we can live without work. I have written a pretty long letter you may say how good it is and now I'll close. you write me a good long one and I'll answer it in person. Give my respects to all the folks

           

I still owe a letter to Bell.       Good day        Yours Truly

                                                                                   

Lowell C Cook

SOURCES