Head Quarters First Rg R.I.D.M.

Patent Office Washington D.C.

May 5 1861

 

Respected Parents.

                        I suppose you think me neglectful of my duty in delaying so long, but my time is so nearly all occupied, that I scarcely find time to rest myself. We shall soon have arrangements all complete for our comfort and then I shall have more leisure.

 

Washington is quite a pretty place although I was much dissappointed in its appearance. The streets are very wide, but poorly paved and very dirty Pennsylvania Avenue I should think was 150 ft. wide from curbstone sidewalks 20. hogs run at large. most of the streets are without paving and very dusty indeed. Some very fine buildings here what I have seen the Capitol is under repair and looks / quite ragged. I have not been inside yet. we marched on the grounds Thursday and there took the oath. The Patent Office is a very fine building built of white marble with a front facing south. 500 feet, width 275 or 300, 2 stories high and a basement. the first floor is offices second the model room. This part it would take a long time to describe but when I get time I will draw a plan and give you some idea of it The Post Office is nearly opposite, built of the same material, not so large, but I think more work in it In all the public, and in some private buildings troops are quartered. The marines arrived here on the 2^nd on the same day Col. Aylesworth arrived with his Zouaves and a rough set they are too. fighting in the streets and everything that tends to create a disturbance. A Regiment / from Brooklyn arrived to night and marched to quarters in the avenue one Regiment took up their line of march for a station on the road between this city and Baltimore to open communication. Business of all kinds is dull and nearly every citizen wears some part of a military uniform. The Rhode I. Regiment takes the shine off all. they are reported as the most orderly and fine looking, and ready men that are now in Washington.

 

The Reg is furnished with every thing needful. letters are all franked Chaplain Woodbury acting as Post Master. I spoke to Edith about sending a paper to me but she need not, for there is any quantity sent from Prov. Journal and Press, N.Y. Tribune and World, and all the city papers here, so we have all and more than we have time to read. /

 

How is work in the shop. I have seen no pattern shops here yet, nothing but model makers. The weather here for a few days past has been stormy Vegatables of nearly all kinds are plenty. it looks like the last of summer Trees all leaved out. flowers in bloom and grass almost high enough for mowing. Sundays we have service in the main hall at eleven oclk quite a number of the men have had colds, but will soon recover. I have enjoyed good health since I left home excepting a slight cold. Our journey was quite pleasant, nothing happening of importance to mar it. We had a hard road to travel from Annapolis, it was very narrow and dusty, but we made 15 miles the first day, resting 3 or 4 hours. the country we past through will beat everything I ever saw for being hilly. I have no more space and must close. hoping you enjoying good health and all the family give my love to all and accept the love of your dutiful son.

                                                                                                                       

Albert G Bates

To Father & Mother

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