Washington Oct 20, 1863.

 

            Dear Brother—

                                    I promised to write to you and this is the first opportunity I have had since our arrival. We came through safely, and arrived in Washington Tuesday afternoon about 5 o'clock.

 

            We marched into the city last Thursday and passed in review before the President and General Anderson. Last Friday we marched up to the camp of the 2^d R. I. regiment and saw George Thomas of the 2^d and I then went over to the camp of the 7^th Mass. Volunteers and saw Bill Thomson. They both send their respects to you. Old Bart Lufin had just got off a drunk and was in the Hospital. 

 

We are not camped in [paper hole] pleasent place but we are [hole] along pretty well and the [hole] appear to be contented. Several [hole] soldiers are sick with the [hole] complaint but are getting [hole] with it and will all be right as soon as we get used to water and the living. We expect to stay here for some time, and expect to have barracks to live in insted of tents.

 

            There are plenty of soldiers here, and we can see their tents in all directions. Geo. Church is with us and just as full of fun as he is always. Old daddey Ben Tillinghast, John Westcott Ben Morse and all our Wickford boys are getting along well and send their respects to you.

 

            When you write I want you to tell me all the news, how you all are how you are getting along and what you are doing. I was very sorry I could not see all of you before I came / away, but I could not and you must wait untill I come back. I want you to be sure and write me a good long letter for all the boys have heard from home except me.

 

            I want you to tell Father, William, James and Samuel to all be sure and write to me and I will let you hear from me as often as I can, for you know it is not a very convienent place here to write—and beside that my finger is so stiff that it is impossible for me to write, and I have to get some friend to write for me.

 

            You can send a box to me any time by Express and I would like for you to send me some writing paper, envelopes, especially some tobacco for it is very scarce here and high and any thing else you see fit to send except liquor for there is no rum allowed upon the ground. I want you to let all my folks see and read / this letter and accept my best respects and I want to hear from every one of them as soon as possible

 

When you write be sure and direct it in this way—

                                                                       

Thomas Bloomer

Washington D.C.

C^o H 4^th R. I. Regt.

 

            and it will come all right and no mistake—

           

From Your Affectionate Bro.

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