Tayolia, Camp Pennington Washington D.C.

July 7^th/61

 

My Dear Parents

                                    I received yours of the 2^nd on the 4^th July I was on guard at the time. I am well my heel is entirely so in fact there is nothing the matter with me but a little laziness but that is owing no doubt to the warm weather which we have had lately. it no warmer than it was in Trenton but we have more of it. I am sitting now writing this letter surrounded by the remains of the Great of the land, by the ashes of Generals, Statesmen & Congressmen in fact I am writing on the Tomb of an M.C. now in the Congressional burying ground which is near our camp. here is the grave of Attorney Gen. Wirt. over his grave is a splendid monument and many others notoriety to numerous to mention but I suppose you are impatient to know how we are getting along and how we spent our 4^th. well I was went on guard the night previous in the morning and was on all day and that night pacing to and fro on a path fifty feet by two with my musket on my shoulder so you may know how I spent my 4^th. true it is not like the 4^th of old. we were awakened in the morning by the firing of cannon large and small from the Batteries @ Navy Yard & forts all round the city, the ringing of bells large & small that with the music of the bands of the different Regts encamped around us it was grand that music our band in particular which is highly spoken of by the Washingtonians. I tell you it was fine that music. it came in to us so sweet that morning I wish you could have heard it. then there was a large parade in city of all N.Y. Troops here some 19,000 in all they were reviewed by President & Cabinet. Gen Scott & Staff / our Regt paraded in the morning then they went over to a grove where the Declaration was read then a speech by a Capt & music by band. but I shall have to leave a little news for Agnes & Lizzie & Hugh. you say you have not got my carpet bag that is strange. it was taken along with a lot more to Newark by some of our Co a few days before we left Trenton I dont know which one had mine for the were all mixed up. there was nothing very valuable in it but still it was a pity to lose it I guess it has been miscarried. I was going to send my money in it but I thought I would not so I sent it the next day by Henry Simpson. do write and answer this soon give my love to all enquiring friends Mr & Mrs Andrews and all the folks.

So good by & I remain

                       

Your Affectionate Son,

George

 

Hugh

            Dear Brother

                                    I dont have many letters from you though I am sorry to say it you have plenty of time to write still you dont write. I suppose you are tired of doing nothing nothing but cheer up there will be work yet and plenty of it. you are not the only one that is out of work. there is plenty worse of a great deal. I guess you have good times of it now swimming & sailing of which I am deprived for we cant go bathing without a pass which is a great deal of trouble to get sometimes. they are very strict with us now more so than ever not a man being allowed to cross the lines too two feet without a pass. the report this afternoon is that we are going to march soon. that the orders have been received how true it I dont know but one thing is certain / stay here long. I was over in the 1^st the other day A great number of the boys seemed tired of soldiering they say they wont go for no three years but they have had it hard and no mistake but I must close now Hugh write soon I should like so much to have a letter from you for every letter from home seems worth its worth weight in gold almost but so hoping you will answer soon I remain yours truly

George

 

My Dear Sisters Agnes & Lizzie

                                                I got your letter all in good season and very acceptable it was to I suppose you had a nice time on the 4^th for I saw by the programme that there was plenty going on. this time last year didn't we have a time I think of that often. but the scenery round here is just as beautiful but I dont enjoy it like that. this is not the scharade we intended playing on Eagle rock about this time no there is no playing about this I tell you I often think of the change that has taken place in so short a time I little thought this time last year that we should be called here but so it is. but to come down to the present. it is a beautifull day Oh! how sweet is here under the shadows of the trees the birds singing over our heads. it is about Sunday School time time or rather after school and suppose you sitting home taking our usual sing I wish I had wings to fly over there just for a little while but as such cannot be I must be contented. I went over to the 5^th of July. I being entitled to a pass the day after guard duty. I had not much time to stay in Washington I passed the Capitol it is a splendid building built of white marble the dome is not finished as yet. the city take away its public / does not come up to Newark by a long shot its Pennsylvania Ave is nothing to Broad St. well I went down to the river got on board the boat for Alexandria Oh! what a beautiful sail. the banks on each side looks just like a picture I wish you could only have seen it but as you where not there to I am not such a good one to describe anything it will have to slide. we reached Alexandria after a short sail it is quite a large place but all the stores was closed the streets still almost as death & deserted. we walked through street after street met only a few soldiers

[crosswritten: the grass is growing in all the streets]

& blacks ocasionally a white person it made me feel sad but such is war. I saw the Mashall house where Col Elsworth was killed. there was a strong guard round it so I could not get inside but send you a piece of the bed tick on which he lay. Ackerman the reporter gave it to me he sent got it out of the house the day before. I send you some flowers also which I gathered near there some were given to me by a young lady where we stoped to get a drink of water. she wore a union badge on her bossom which had been torn of several times by the Seccesionists round there before the troops got over there, but she still kept it. the R.R. is strongly guarded. we had a long tramp to the camp of the 1^st which about five miles from Alexandria. it is in a nice cozy woods you would not know there was a camp till you were right on it. the boys seemed so pleased to see J Demerest, P. Schamp Mr Wilkinson & a great many others to numerous to mention. they treated us first rate. About dusk we started home it was a long walk we was on the earthwork built by the 1^st they comand the road leading to the bridge with a heavy stockade connecting across the road. the two batteries they are mounted with heavy guns pointing right at us as we came up it would be dusty travelling for anybody to try to take Washⁿ along that road the 69^th is a little further back commanding another road. I tell you the 1^st had to work hard that five weeks they were at work on them but I must close for want of room so Give my love to all bidding you an Affectionate Good bye I remain

                                                                                               

Your Affectionate Brother

George

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