Camp Alleghaney.

            Washington D.C.

Dec^r 18^th, 1861.

 

            Dear Mother—We have left camp Curtin at last. I have stood on slavery's cursed soil! We are encamped about a mile and a half N.E. of Washington. We arrived here last monday. We left Curtin last saturday evening about 7 o'clock and got to Baltimore (Bettymoor!) Sabbath about 12 o'clock N^o. We were well used in Baltimore. We got a dinner given us by the citizens on the very spot where the Massachusetts boys were fired on and we marched through the secesh part of the city without being molested I saw the shipping and the place where you landed when you came from the [?] and as I stood on / shore and looked at the ships coming in or rather coming down I thought of the description which you gave me of the ocean and thought it a very good description the road from Baltimore to Washington is guarded by the N.Y. 60^th regt.

 

Washington's monument is a very pretty sight & every body who comes to Washington has to write about the capitol and the senate chamber &c I guess I'll not say anything about it only that I saw and was through the capitol and its different halls. I also saw and stopped at the Relay house. I have no time to write much but after a few days I'll tell you all I know We are camped on confiscated ground in sight of fort Ellsworth The night before we came here some of the boys run 5 spies into the woods but could not catch them and last night one of Co B of the 57^th was shot at but by whom no one knows he was missed however. 

 

How soon we will get a brush with the rebels we do not know but the sooner the better. I sent my likeness to you by the hand of Mathew Graham it is a good likeness. dont you think that I look fatter than when I was at home? He said he would take it home for me when you write tell me what you think of it. Tell me what kind of weather you have at home. Direct your letters thus           

Jo^s D Baker

57^th Regt P.V. Co F.

Washington D.C.

 

Give my love to all and keep a large share for yourself.

                       

Excuse bad writing

 

No more now your son

J. D. Baker P.V.

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