Mustering & Disbursing Office

Rikers Island, N.Y.H.

Feb'y. 19^th 1864.

 

Dear Cousin

            I guess I have waited about long enough to get square with you for not writing to me sooner than you did, so I will now proceed to again bore you with some of my scribbling. I have no news to write but still I would like to let you know I have not forgotten you.

 

            Mother arrived home all safe and sound Monday night after making a flying visit to you all. I say flying because she could not have staid long at any one place and be gone as short a time as was she. I was glad to hear you were all well and especially grandmother. I should / very well to come up and see you all but business(?) will not allow. I forget whether I was in the Paymasters Department when I last wrote, but I will tell you again so as to make sure—I am very pleasantly situated. I get home about once or twice a week, have good quarters & good food. All of us clerks dine at the Officers Mess and get the same meals free that cost them 25 cts.

 

            We expect to move from here soon, to Hart Island, about 7 miles further up the sound. New barracks have been built and a very comfortable place is expected.

 

            It don't look much as though I should return to the Regiment under two months at least. I think we are having a pretty good thing on Uncle Sam.

 

            Well I don't know as / I have got any thing else to write so I will "dry up"

 

Good bye. Give my love to all

Edwin, Del—& the rest

           

from Coz

John L. Stilson

 

Direct John L. Stilson

Harlem

N.Y.

 

I shall not write again till I hear from you

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