Arsenal Grounds Washington D.C.—

 

Dear Dot.

                        I did not write to you on Sunday as Mr Marsh who will hand you this, has been "bunking" with us for a week and intended to go home yesterday, but has delayed it until today. I have been well, but somewhat out of temper since I last wrote. Our men have received their bounty, and in consequence have had one half of my Company drunk. I was obliged to put 4 of them in the Arsenal guardhouse, one of whom I had to put the nous on. He was very violent and abusive. In addition to this I have been extremely busy in many ways and some nights have gone to bed completely tired out and exhausted. I have been over to Camp Addicks, where the balance of the Regiment is, twice. You may remember that 133 men of Capt Adams Regiment were transferred to our Regiment. Well, when these men began to report themselves to our camp Lieut Saylor and myself considered that the course of the Colonel was very partial to Company E as he was throwing more of the men into Company E than into us. He thought he could take the men as he pleased, and keep us a small Company. But we said nothing, but were determined that if the hostility was continued we would resign, and clear out. But when we were detailed here at the Arsenal we were delighted with the prospect, though we were such a small Company. Well on Friday last the Committee came down, and the Colonel found that he must entirely reorganize 3 Companies among which was ours. I took the news over to Col, and I was ashamed of him. I never saw a man who pretends to any dignity make such a fool of himself. He threatened to resign, damned the War Department and went on like a crazy man. He asked me my advice. I told him I considered it best to act as the War Department ordered, and got a regular blowing up about it. The upshot was, that I got 10 men more in my Company than I had before, and now feel comfortable. We are much pleased with Col. Ramsay. He is an old regular, and if things dont suit him, he rips out, and swears at us a little, then it is all over and he is as pleasant as ever. we are completely isolated from Col. Ellmaker, and find him but small potatoes down here. I do not believe, Dot, he will be in the service 2 months, for I fear he wants to get out of it as soon as possible. As for us, I do not think we will ever be in the Regiment again whether we remain in the service 2 months or 3 years. We moved again today, and I hope now are permanently fixed. It is a great nuisance, this moving and upsets us completely for 3 or 4 days, but we are now settled. We all went into Washington today to be mustered in, but owing to the absence of Col Puliston the agent for the State of Pennsylvania we were obliged to defer it for another opportunity. On Friday last, Mr Marsh Benny and self had an invitation to go down the Potomac as far as Port Tobacco, from a Captain of a government transport, whom / I had known in Philadel. As I was busy, I did not go but let Benny accompany them. They had a very pleasant time of it. I have a standing invitation to go when I can. You cannot imagine my gratitude for such letters as you last sent me. A good long letter is a Godsend. I do not like to confess to any homesickness, but I would dearly like to see you all. I trust yourself and Roly are much better; please keep well for I can get no furlough here to go home, as Col. Ramsay has already informed me that no furloughs will be issued to Officers or men. We have about 2000 barrels of powder, and I cannot say how much fixed ammunition, in our charge, so you may know how confined we are, to keep proper guard over it. But we will do our duty. They have put their railroad down by us. It was very interesting to watch them as they had nearly one hundred contrabands working at it. Every once in a while they have a row among them, and we are much amused at their manner of fighting. Your letter containing Mother's and your reply to it, came to hand too late for me to mention it in my last. I am perfectly satisfied with your answer, and think it perfectly correct. I have not heard from her since. I cannot say anything myself, for God knows how bitterly I have disappointed all my family and friends. But my dear He also knows how bitterly I have repented it. I can only ask to be forgiven, as I have forgiven others. I do not go to Washington except on business. It is a dirty disagreeable place and one I cannot fancy. Last week Frank Gilingham's wife was down, and she was in camp the day I was there. She and Frank made big fools of themselves before the whole camp and I was mad enough to tie them together and leave them exposed for 30 days had I been Colonel, but you see I was not, so they escaped. You will give my love to all. Tell your Uncle Henry, if he will come down, we will treat him as well as a camp can treat, but he had better not come for a few weeks as it is very hot yet. I hope your mother is better. Tell her I have had my hair shaved and I look like the Devil. If you see Pop Loudy's give my love to them, and will write this week. I have my money, and I will send you all I can, so soon as Benny and I can fix our accounts up. I will therefore write you again the latter part of this week. Keep up your spirits dear, we will yet get along. Kiss Roly and dear little Amy over and over again. Give my best respects to all inquiring friends, and tell them I am serving my friends by watching the powder magazine. But it is midnight and I must go grand rounds being Officer of the day. Good night dear, and think often of your

 

Sep 30/62                    

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