(Edith)

1861

Washington D.C. Apr 28 1860

 

Head Quarters Patent office

 

We are now safely quartered in the Patent office. had a long but quite pleasant passage. Left N.Y. Sunday eve sunset made out to sea arrived at Hampton Roads Monday eve, laid under the protection of Fort. Munroe. The fleet consisted of the Revenue Cutter Harriet Lane, Steamer Baltic, Columbia, Cuyler and Co at.za.coal.cos. this last contained the Rhode I. regiment. It was quite an interesting sight to see those large steamers filled to overflowing with soldiers.

Tuesday morning started for Annapolis, arrived about dusk. anchored off the city under the protection of two Man of War vessels. lay off all night, Wednesday afternoon landed and quartered in the private dwellings connected with the Naval Acadamey under the Superintendence of Col. Kies a R.I. man. at 5 ock. Thursday morn took up our line of march for Washington marched 15 miles on a very narrow road and the sun beating down quite warm I reckon. but, however, most all stood it bravely. Each man carrying his rifle, blanket, / 15 rounds ball cartridges, canteen filled with water and 8 days provision, quite a heavy load, but marching the route step we managed to keep along and made a good days march. Several of the elder Captains among them the Captains of the Infantry Co's. were compelled to ride. Also Captain Dexter. I am in charge of the 1^st Company Rifles, Captain Peloubet being left at Annapolis, he in the minds of the General Officers of the Regiment, having become partially insane from excitement and want of sleep. but if you see his wife dont tell her the cause. we were all very sorry but he disgraced himself and his command by his actions and he was the by-word of the regiment. I myself refused to act under him if he did not change his course but I found from observation that it was nothing more or less than a slight abberation of mind.

 

He was left at Annappolis with orders to be delivered to Lt Col Pitman which I suppose was that if he was better to take him along with him, if not to send him home. We encamped six miles below the junction, lay cooked our supper, that is made coffee and roasted some potatoes each company having a camp fire early in morning we started from the junction about 9 ock. took the cars for Washington 18 miles ride 

 

The cars were filled and covered on top with soldiers. This road is in the hands of the government, and guard is posted along the road from Anapolis to Washington. we were received by the military of the city and escorted to our quarters. we are spoken of as being the best disciplined regiment now quartered here, and our uniform the best adapted for the occasion. we were frequently asked as we were marching from the depot to quarters where we were from. when we said from R.I. the response was Good, Good. R.I. speaks well, she has done nobly, every one eager to speak to and see the Govener, and when they were saw him was quite surprised at seeing so young a man. Hquarters in the building with us and is familiar with all.

 

I saw a report in the N.Y. Herald a dispatch stating that the R.I. troops were attacked on the route and 200 killed, and several badly wounded, among those mentioned were Gov. Sp. and Major S[?] but the statement is false. nothing of the kind happened. We were somewhat alarmed the night we encamped below the junction by seeing a number of persons skulking around. We threw out a picket guard for a mile and a half down the / road and saw nothing more until nearly morn when a darkey that had followed us for several miles was detected in stealing a pair of boots, we frightened nearly to death, and then sent home. The only accident that has happened on the way was to a man belonging to the P. Artillery, named Gallagah, I think. We had halted for water he had several canteens in his hand and was in the act of vaulting a fence when he tripped on the top rail and fell over, breaking his leg in two places. he was placed in the baggage wagons and brought here and is now in the infirmary in the city.

 

I would like to give you a description of the city and the various public buildings but I have not been over the city much yet and cannot. It would be impossible for me to describe this building even. I can give you a little idea however of it. it is I should think nearly 300 feet square built of white marble with three entrances the ground plan is like this: [diagram] it is three stories high and divided into alcoves each alcove containing a showcase 20 feet long, 4 ft wide and 10 feet high, 4 shelves and each shelf covered with models. I cannot ascertain the number at present, and to count them would take me nearly a day. I will, during the week, get some very pretty views of the city and mail them to you. while I am now writing we have received word that the rest of the R.I. troops have arrived and we are soon to make preparations to receive them. I have nearly filled this sheet and have but little more time to write /

 

[front top margin]

 

P.S.

Have some Providence paper sent to me if you can tell father to do it if he can and I will forward the money that is if you have not any to spare

SOURCES