Head quarters of

Detachment of 50^th Engineers

Harpers Ferry Feb 23^d

 

Dear Parents It is with pleasure that I sit down to scribble a few lines to you to inform you that we are as well as usual and I hope this may find you all enjoying good health I received a letter from you this afternoon and was glad to learn that Ella was home and getting better again Sergeant Malette returned this afternoon looking tough and rugged. He has been absent about six months and a half 

 

Polk is quite unwell and reported on the sick list He has been unwell for quite a long time and has run down a good deal and looks quite miserable This morning was the first that he was excused from duty. We have a doctor that visits this company each morning. The company has been busy to day drawing stone to raise the abutment of Potomac Bridge The river is quite high and will probably be higher in a day or two for we have had another deep snow / about four or five inches deep and it is good sleighing But oh for a sleigh My kingdom for a sleigh another days sun and the mud and water will flow freer than milk and honey through the tarnished streets of Harpers Ferry

 

Six or a half dozen times have I dipped my pen in to write and the hand was willing also the heart but where were the thoughts and ideas that with some are so numerous but with me so silly scarce and far between and I really / believe that I am not in a good mood for writing so I will put it by untill morning

 

Tuesday morning

and I will try to finish my letter I am as well as usual with the exception of a cold which makes me quite hoarse. It is real cold weather this morning the coldest we have had My sheet is blotted very much which you will please excuse this time from your

 

son Cha^s W

in the Army

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