Camp Near Alexandria Va.

May 31^st 1865:—As this is the last day of May & it is verry plessant with a prospect of a storm brewing & we have just come off from dress Parade, & it is seven Oclock P.M. & have just received your verry kind letter with a few lines from the Boys, Wife I must confess to you that I had to go of by myself & read them & when Schyler told me that he had beans & brown bread for diner Sunday I could not help weeping like a child to think how well I have always provided for my family & then to think of my own fair, it is enough to make all heaven weep. the fact is Major Quarles wants to be Conol of the [?] & that he will be or we shall not get home this summer 

 

I suppose that Mrs. Quarles thinks Sam will not get drunk but Abby let me tell you that she is grandly mistaken for the day that we went to Mount Auburn Vernon, he got so beastly drunk that he had to ride in the Ambulance home, then soon as we pased review in Washington he went off & got drunk & to day he has been rideing out with a Mrs. Swain from Washington, whose character is verry luse. Carry Brown told me when I saw her that the Officers wanted take her to the tavern & stay all night. on the whole he is one tuff cuss & will lie like sin

 

            But there is no use in talking, he is an Officer 

 

June 1^st 1865

This morning I woke at 4 Oclock went to the brook, took a wash, and verry unexpectedly I find that we are to have one more hot day. yesterday and last night there was quite a number of Regiments left for there homes in New York & Pen. They give many a hearty cheer on starting & the band plays the tune When Johney comes marching home.

 

            Does Peter Dore & his wife get along well together is she going to have another little one. I should think it was time for she has always said she should have thirteen & she must work steady to make time I am right glad that you are all strait. 

 

To day June 1^st the Chaplin is haveing his Chapel dedicated. I wish you could see it It looks so nise dressed all in green with the flag waveing

SOURCES