Boston Feby. 27^th 1862

 

Dear Brother,

                        Being out of business I commence a letter to you. I rec'd a line from you a while ago and was glad to learn that you were getting better. I also heard from you through you comrades in Co. K 13^th Regt. They stopped here two nights, were quartered in Faneuil Hall. Lewis Millett & your friend Hathaway of Paris were there. Saw Serg. Smith of Turner. They all hoped you would be able to join them soon. It was a good looking & good behaving Regt., one the best that have passed through here. It's too bad you have got to go to Ship Island. I don't like the place nor the commanding Gen. / I trust the Army will keep a doing just what they have been doing for the past month and give you all a chance to return in a few mons. How do you like Capt. Swan? Has he paid you all that is due you? I guess he is a good man and a smart officer but look out for your money! what gets into his hands wont get out again. He formerly commanded a militia co. in this vicinity and according to his mens story cheated them out of several hundred dollars.

 

Do you expect to join your Regt. soon? I hope you will be able to do so soon Capt. Swan was not with his Co. Nothing new with me. I visited So. Braintree last Sunday. Georgia is quite unwell, has been sick nearly all winter, a sore throat, is her greatest trouble. She is getting better and hopes to get out in a week or two / Martha has been unwell and Aunt Lucy too. A sickly time of they have had but all are better now. The boys are at Port Royal. John has plenty of work. They have no boarders now.

 

I am quite well this winter and am the usual easy time, have to keep about here but do not have a large amount of work to do, to-day having been quite buisy. It's pretty tight times just now but think it will be a little easier soon. Govt. contracts are still in the mill could I see you I could tell you quite a story but don't dare write it. I don't believe much will be made in the end. Men will do strange things for a little gold, brass it is in the end. I guess I have said enough.

 

We had quite a fire on Commercial St. the other night, presume you saw an account in the Journal. It was an awful fire / the wind blowed very hard. I have seen fires before but none of them ever burned like this. t'was a roaring furnace. Had the wind been in an opposite direction hundreds of wooden buildings would have destroyed and thousands of poor people turned out of house & home. As far as snow has anything to do with it we are having a State of Me. winter but have not had a cold day. People are having lots of sleigh rides I have not had one since I returned from home. Still I am enjoying myself, in my room, spending an evening out and various other ways. The Ballou Entertainment passed off well, was a decided success.

 

You must excuse poor writing and poorer composition. There are greater attractions at the house than this letter, have visitors there. Write soon.

                                                                                                           

Charles

SOURCES