Febuary the 14^th evng

 

Dear Parents

                        I have recd your letter of the 7^th and would have answered it before but I have been down town five days this week and I have had no time I have been more punctual than most of my (I may say) correspondents I have not heard from Minnie since I was in pleasant valley and others serve me the same way but as to you I wont scold for you have your hands full to write to all I have been into the Capitol and heard the speeches of some of the so called great men of the country I also went to the Smithsonian Institute which I wish you could see on going in I enterd my name as member of Co D 20^th Conn Vols high Private in the rear rank but the biggest time we have had I have to mention Dr Baxter head surgeon in the hospital has had a long building erected for the boys as a reading and smoke room it is 25 feet wide by about 500 ft long and we had it fitted up with ever greens and the Doctor issued invitation tickets to / the President and Senators and Representatives and officers of note to attend with their wives and ladies a ball on last Tuesday evng at the appointed time the boys that were able went into the hall and seated themselves around the room pretty soon the big bugs began to pass in I have forgot to say that the room did not want for flowers and wreaths with the eagle ready to fly at a moments notice Portraits of McLellen Washington and others but Little Mack claimed and recd the most applause Senators from the different states Representatives from the same also military men poured in bringing their better half and their daughters then the Marine Band Lincolns own private band came in just before they commenced Govnr Seymors brother of New York arose in the crowd and said the Ladies had declared that no one but the soldiers could have the pleasure of dancing with them (only think of a soldier of Campbell Hospital dancing with Ladies that stand in the highest circles and they would not dance with men that at any other time they would feel honored to well the / the next thing I heard was from a Lady who asked if their was any of the 20^th Conn of course I knew it was Hon Mr Penfields wife she asked me if I knew a young man in Co D of Portland by the name of S G Pelton I told her I was from Cromwell and knew him she went and got her husband he was verry glad to see me said Pelton was his nephew I told him that Penfield Pelton and Palmer were on picket always as our names all come one after the other he was born in Portland and is related to C F Penfield I guess it ended with my promising to dance one set with his wife one set he give me his card to call at the National Hotel to see him the next one that came was Govnr Seymors brother he talked a good while with me said he had asked the President how his Proclamation worked Lincoln said it would have to be repealed he then turned to a young lady that stood close by and said that he would introduce Miss Black to me Judge Blacks daughter / I had to promise to dance with her which I did only think of having the honor of speaking with the big bugs of the country Senator Hale next came wanted to see some N. H. boys there was men from evry state after the dance was over Judge Harris daughter of Michigan sang some patriotic songs and then the crowd left I could not find room in any letter to tell you who I spoke to evrybody seemed to forget their troubles for the time I wish I had the Wednesday Chronicle I will try to get one I dont feel well and at the same time I am around last night I was so chilly that my teeth chattered I am so nervous that I dont get two hours sleep in twenty four you wanted to know what ailed Bradley he had the rheumatism was brought to the hospital and Dr Baxter detailed him as nurse in Ward nine thats the reason of his being here he belongs in Dwight Johnsons Company it was raised in Stafford he says that there is a good many from Stafford in the 16^th Conn Vols. I have had my likeness taken which I will send to you I had two taken one with my cap on and one without I think Dr Baxter is a first rate man he will speak to a private as quick as to any officer twice he has done me personal favors and the affair of Tuesday evng I as well as a hundred patients will never forget my sheet is full but whether it will interest you I dont know [?]

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