Galloups Island          

Boston Harbor

Mass

March 12^th 65

 

It is now about 11 o'clock and I guess I will write a few lines. It dont seem much like sunday here today for the boys trade and play just the same as though it was a week day. I dont mean all the boys but the most of them The officers dont do any better for the Co is signing the clothing roll now here in the Barrack.

 

We dont know when we shall go away not till the transport gets back I guess for they say there is but one transport that runs here now. one has been cast away they say. 

 

It is very cold here today the wind blows like a hurrycane and the waves roll up pretty high and look white as can be. the mail is this minute being distributed but I dont get any. It is about time to go to dinner the other Co is getting their dinner I see.

 

I have just been to dinner and now I will finish my letter We had soft bread and beef & broth &c. There is such a noise here that I cannot think. there is two or three fools in this Co and they are fighting and kicking so that any body cannot write.

 

how does Granville get along? has he got the wood all cut up and put into the shed I suppose he works pretty smart this spring! dont he! tell him to write me a letter

 

Fred W. got a letter from Harry the other day a funny one too /

 

The Vienna boys are all well

 

            Henry is writing a letter Anthony is reading Fred has gone out somewhere down to the Sutlers I guess Eph is laying in his bunk Wills sits here reading and I am trying to write but have hard work to think of any thing to write so I guess I shall have to stop soon. I forgot Noah Hoyt he has just got into our bunk he trades watches all the time most he makes something I guess We have to go pretty straight in this Barrack or be punished, are not allowed to spit on the floor or any thing. The Sergeant of the Barrack is very strict he ties them up by the thumbs and makes them lug big sticks of wood two hours at a time if they do any little thing that dont suit him. It is not the Sargeant of / our Co that punishes them it is the sergeant of the Barrack

 

Our officers dont have any thing to do with us here on this Island

 

I cannot think of any more to write now. If you read this you will do well

 

I will put in a little money into this I guess about $10

 

write soon and all the news               

 

I am your Humble & Obt Servt

 

I suppose you have                                                     

for the note before

This time

 

H. F. Dowst

Galloups Island

Mass

 

A No 1                                                            

                                                                        

Boston Harbor                        

Barrack 15

 

[note]

 

H. F. Dowst

Co F 12 Me Regt Vet Vol

1^st Brigade 2^d Division 19^th Army Corps

 

[note verso]

 

Co F 12^th Me Vol

is all you need to put

on a letter

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