A D 1862

March the 8^th

 

Dear Wife i take my pen in hand to write a few lines to you hoping that they may find you well as they leave me at present We have moved again since i wrote last We were at on the eastern side of Washington City then and now we are on the western side We had to march through the city about five miles from our former camp i did not tell you how we live in our tents Well there is nineteen men in a tent and a little round stove in the middle We have got the old cook from / Orr he cooks all for the Company there is a seargent for each tent he brings the victuals to his tent We are in the sight of the city of Washington We have a very good view of the city it is pretty sickly here one of our Company was struck sick last night We did not get our tents from our other camp till late in the afternoon We had to stay out the wind without no fire i think that was the reason that he got sick his name is Ephraim hankey that lives up by trubys Mill he is very sick this morning he has been taken to the hospital the doctor will not say what is the matter with him i am like a buck though We slept on the ground last night there is a good many men here there is some here / that has been poisoned by buying cakes and pies from the old women that is thick around the camp i have not bought anything from them yet for i have no money to buy i have to send this letter by franking i am sorry that you have to pay the postage We do not know when we will get paid perhaps not till the last of this month i wish they would pay us. i got your letter last Wednesday and was glad to hear from you for i thought that i had not heard from you for two months i sent a letter to you the night before i received your letter i am sorry that you were not well i hope that you are getting better i am enjoying good health at present by the blessing of / God and i hope that i shall serve him in truth and sincerity for it is highly necessary for we do not know the hour that we may be called there is a proposition in our tent not to swear and i hope that it may succeed for it is horrid the way some carry on We are only sixteen miles from the rebles they had a small battle the other side of the Potomac We heard them shooting the cannons the rebles were defeated it looks like spring some days the roads are awful i hope that i shall be at home before long to spend my days in peace and happiness make yourself contented give my best respects to my parents and Sarah from your affectionate husband William Rees

 

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