Camp of 38 Wis Vols

Washington D.C. May [blank]1865

 

My Dear Friends.

                        Your letter dated [blank] was received by me in due time but we have been so busy preparing for this Grand Review that we have not had any time to write or even think of it, but now the Review is over and I am glad of it for if it was the grandest affair that has happened, it was nevertheless rather tedious. You will see by the "Chronicles" of the 23 that I have sent you, our Corps was on the lead of the Army and our Regt. lead the Corps, and if it was not glorious, there never was anything that was. Washington was never so crowded, over 150,000 people witnessed the Review, and it was cheer after cheer as we / passed up the Avenue and when we turned by the Treasury Dept. it was almost

 

            Next we passed the Reviewing Stand. President Johnson, Lieut Gen Grant, the Secretaries of the Departments, and a host of Major and Brig. Generals. After we had passed the Reviewing Officers, I received permission to remain behind and see the rest of the Army reviewed. I got a very good seat on stand No 3, saw the rest of our Corps with the 5^th and 2^d Corps. It was about 4 P.M. when the last Regts. went by. after that, I spent time in looking around untill I was so tired that I did not know what to do.

 

            It was not very early when I went to bed and as a matter of course I did not get up very early. I just got through breakfast, when Shermans Army / started. I was then at the Washington House where I remained untill after the 15^th 17^th and part of the 20^th Corps went by. The Avenue was so crowded that I could not get up to the reviewing stand, which was on 15 St., and I was on 6^th St., so instead of going up there I went back where the 14^th Corps was preparing for the Review. I found the 21^st just after they had started, saw Cousin James, was looking first rate indeed. Saw Mr Clinton Capt. Bradish, Lieut Otto and a host of other friends Harrold Galpin was with the Brigade Band. I called out to him but he did not hear me. he has grown quite tall. I did not hardly know him.

 

            The 14^th Corps is going to camp a little ways from here and if we dont have to / move back to Alexandria I will go over and see the 21 Regt. I was going to day but it has rained so that I gave it up. I have sent to Uncle files of the "Chronicle" from the 14^th to the 26 both inclusive, containing a full official account of the trial of the Assassins with an account of this Review, which after you have read I wish you to preserve for me, as they may be valuable some time.—We have received orders to muster out all men whose term of service expires before the 1^st of October. as that order will take all of the one year men out of our Regt. leaving only enough for two companies, the Gov. is trying to have the Regt go home as an organization. if he succeeds we will start by the 1^st of June, or between that time and the 15 of June. If we are mustered out I am going to bring my black boy "Sam" home with me. he is 26 years old, as black as — strong as an ox and good natured as can be. what can you give him to do? he is a faithfull worker—If they should muster out only the 1 year men I shall try and come home with them, what say you. Dont you think it best? what does Uncle advise me to do if I come home what will I go to work at there? How does the oil well prosper? I saw in some /

 

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paper from the southern part of the state that they had "struck oil at Appleton". I am anxious to learn the truth of the report. I hope it is true.

Well my paper is full and I must quit you must not wait for me to write as I am kept busy. almost half of the time I am in command of some other company to drill. Have been acting as Adjt. part of the week was on Division Drill as such.

                                                                       

Yours as ever

Frank

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