3 M^d Batt V.V.I

Tennallytown DC

May 7^th 1865

 

Dear Hester

                        I have been very busy for some time past as we have had so much moving on hand that really I have hardly had time to turn around. I am in receipt of three letters from you one dated the 22^d and another the 26^th inst. we moved from the Southside Rail Road on the 20^th of April and marched to City Point, where we took transports for Alexandria, where we arrived on the 24^th and staid there two days and moved from there to Tennallytown where we now are, three miles from Washington City DC. Garrie / left here to night for the city of New York, to be in attendance at Martha's wedding. we are in a beautiful camp, and have very good quarters considering. There has been considerable talk of late of our going home but as yet no signs of it being so. I have been very busy for some time past as all my papers were to be fixed up and I have been busy almost night and day ever since.

 

            I was surprised when we arrived in Washington to see the way the people mourn for the President everything that is the houses and places of business are draped in mourning. Even in Alexandria so long noted for being the headquarters of the most rabid secessionists / they have mourning flying from almost every house. Booth the assassin is also dead he deserved it but really I think it would have been much better if they had captured him alive and made him a public example. There are very few armed rebels now and between this and the coming autumn I think we will all be home both rebels and Union men This last campaign was very short and decisive. to think of an Army like ours moving in the way they did and ending in the way they did such a long and stubborn war. There is also some talk of foreign powers now interfering but I think they had better stay at home, for the work of the last month has given them / a somewhat different view of American affairs. Be that as it may they will always find plenty defenders to step forward to defend the "Stars & Stripes".

 

we have had a visitor from New York here in the person of Mr Frost father of the young gentleman who you may remember to have seen last winter at our house. I have given up all ideas of getting home until we are out for good. My respects to your folks & all enquiring friends and Believe me as ever

                                                           

Yours only

Bob

 

P.S. As you have said nothing about changing your address since your sojourn in Tompkinsville I shall continue to address them to Elizabeth

Bob

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