Oct. 16. 1863

Washington D.C

 

Dear Parents

                        I will try to pen a few more lines to you to inform you that we are as well as usual and I hope this may find you all enjoying good health. The Capt received a letter from Ella yesterday saying that Pa, Ma and Hattie and Julia had gone to Chemung a visiting I hope that you had a pleasant time and a good visit out there I was sorry to hear that diphtheria had made its appearance again and in such close proximity too

 

            I suppose Helen has it very / bad by what Ella wrote and then it is very catching besides so one cannot be too careful about taking it. I have sold my watch that Pa gave me. I dont know but I did wrong but I thought that I was getting a good price for it so I let it go for 24 dollars chain and all The chain cost the Capt $1.00 and he gave me that he said to pay for the use of it He has carried it ever since I came down last fall. The compass had got out of rig so it did not work well any more besides I think I can better myself with the money here in the city Part of our Company is at work in the work shop repairing ponton boats I believe there is 16 or 18 detailed for that purpose 

 

            The rest of us are doing Company duty the same as usual. Carroll has charge of those that work in shop and Walker has charge of us

 

            We drill about four hours per day in good weather and when very rainy do not drill at all I see by the papers that Gen Meade has been falling back with his forces toward Bull run & Centreville It beats all that the rebs are sure to go where ever we leave a place. You know it was so at Williamsport and now again at Rappahannock Station We left on saturday and the Rebs were there Monday. I believe the Rebs are afraid of us Engineers for they never trouble us any /

James Mandeville has got a pass and is going to try and find his brother Charly. They say he is somewhere in Maryland over across the Anacostia river I hope that he will find him for I should like to hear from him right well. One of the privates out of Co. I got a commission last week to go in the Cavalry service Dick is getting some better than he was The rest of the boys are well. I will close for this time. From your

                                                                       

Affectionate son

Charles. W. Personeus

U. S. Army

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