Patterson Park Hospital

Baltimore Md May 2  63

           

My dear Friend Brother

                        I now sit down to pen you a few more lines. I have just received your letter. And am happy to hear from. We are having beautifull spring weather now. I am well and hope these few lines will find you the same. Well Charley I am expecting every day to go away on an excursion out west fare free and $13 a month and board and clothes. The 9^th Army Corps boys here were ordered to be ready last wednesday morning to leave but we still remain. I commenced a letter to Mother last tuesday but have not yet sent it as I was waiting till I started so as to drop it into the Office. But I do not think we shall get off this week. I will have a long ride when I do go, will I not? You mentioned that you had got your "picture" taken, and wished to know how to send it. I suppose / you remember the "Picture" I sent home last winter, dont you? If it is one like that the "bare plate" you could put in a letter and send it for one three cent stamp provided it did not weigh over ½ an ounce. Didn't you get one taken without a glass? You could just put it into a letter and send it by "Mail" for one stamp if it did not weigh over a half an ounce and if a little more put on two stamps. But I guess it would not be prudent to send it till you hear from me again as I shall probably be in Kentucky or somewhere in that region. If you write to me out there, just address to in this style. "William W. Fish "Co. C. 11^th N.H.V. "2^nd Division "9^th Army Corps." I will send you a "ring" in this letter which I made from a "cocoanut shell". I wrote Thos Gay. How is silver specie now at Manchester I presume it is rather scarce, is it not? I presume Father will get you a chance in the Navy Yard soon. I received a letter from Mother and Martha thursday / Martha wrote that they got a letter from you last week and that you liked well. Your homesickness will probably not last long. I have not seen home for nearly nine 8 months. I expect you will hear some good news from Gen'l Hooker's Army soon. Has any one moved into the house we moved out of yet? You say "Frank Guilford has gone to "Sea". Where did he start from and where bound? do you know? But I have not much more news to write We are living well here for soldiers For "Breakfast" we get bread and pork cold beef or butter. For "Dinner" meat potatoes soup or stew or onions. For "Supper" we have bread and cheese butter or applesauce and occasionally a piece of pie. Sundays we get rice pudding or bread pudding. Perhaps by the time this reaches you I will have started for my Reg't Give my respects to all the folks and tell Aunt Statira I would be happy to hear from her. Now write me all the news you can. Please write your words as plain as / you can. I guess I shall be at home by Thanksgiving to eat dinner with you. From your affect.

                                                                                   

Brother William

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