Camp of 50^th N.Y. Engineers

Washington D.C March 23^rd/64

                       

Dear Parents

                    I will try to pen a few lines to you this afternoon to inform you that we are all as well as usual and I hope this may find you the same Daniel received a letter from you this afternoon which I have just had the pleasure of reading. I was very sorry to hear of the death of James Lewis. His friends must feel very bad I believe he has been in the service only about two months I saw him at the Caroline Depot the day I left home and he then looked like a tough rugged boy though quite young I should judge 

 

I was surprised to hear that M^r McGee had left the place and cleared off I suppose the farm is now back on Pa's hands for management again if he has not sold it, I think it is a splendid place and I should like to have him keep it if it were not for making him so much trouble but as it is he must do with it just as he sees fit

 

Last night the snow fell about a foot deep here in Washington and to day the boys have been very busy all day in carting it out of the streets and off the parade ground. It was the deepest snow that we have had this winter

 

Everything is quiet here in camp and we have very little / news of any kind nowadays No news in the papers. No camp rumors worth mentioning and we have nothing but drill and guard duty, guard duty and drill all the time with now and then a detail for fatigue, so the times seem very dull just now

 

Well Ma I have just spilled some coffee on my letter so it looks very bad but you will please excuse it for it is a real job for me to write lately so I wont take the pains to write it over again. If it was to go to some nice young Miss I would try it over again but I dont expect any of that sort will ever see this miserable letter Dewitt Johnson is still in the hospital but is gaining / slowly he will probably come back to the Company in a few days. Eli Personius came here to day and joined our Company

           

Thursday Morning Mar 24^th

We are all as well as usual and feeling pretty well. The sun is shining brightly so I guess our snow storm will be of short duration. Daniel is out drilling in the Manual of Arms

           

I will close for this time by bidding you all an affectionate farewell

                                                                                               

From Your Son

Charles. W

to the loved ones at Home

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