Albert G. Bates to Reuben H. N. Bates and Amy Bates, 27 March 1863
Direct your
letters to Co. C.
 
Camp Metcalf Va
March 27th /63.
 
Respected Parents.
                        I received yours to night and was glad to hear from you. I am now acting as Lieut in Co. C. to which I have been transferred. My Commission is dated March 6th. I have not yet been mustered out or in, the mustering being done in a very indefinite manner. I tried for 10 days to get mustered out as Sgt so I could get my pay, but could not, so I have concluded to enter upon my duties and wait until the Pay Master comes to pay us off before I can get my uniform. There seems to be a great irregularity in the business or a great neglect of duty among the officers employed by the government for that purpose. There they sit in their offices taking their own time for anything, always / sure not to commence their duties until just 11 oclock in the forenoon and close just at 4 in the afternoon but between hours they are not so very particular as to their promptness, receiving only two at a time and with all the dignity of a King with only a Lieutenants Commission. But not a word can you say, but just wait their bidding Washington is full of such trash I think I shall be safe enough in waiting for my pay until the Pay Master comes. By that time I shall probably be mustered back to the date of my commission. I can remain off duty if I like but I had much rather be on duty. I am much pleased at the idea of your visiting us and hope you will. the weather now seems to have become settled and for a few days we have had fine warm days. Wm Ayer told me / that you and his Father talked of coming out. One thing I will tell you for information in regard to passes. It will be the best for you to call at Hamlin's the Provost Marshall in Providence and get a pass from him. this will save you the trouble of getting identified in Washington, which you would have to do before obtaining a pass to come over the bridge. The Provost Marshall's office in Washington is on the corner of Nineteenth and I Streets where you will have to go to get your passes approved. They are quite strict in granting passes to citizens over the bridge hence the object of the identity. It seems to be now a settled fact that the Reg will not be moved from here until the time is up. Burnside wished to have the Reg. but Gen Heintzleman said he could not get a Reg to take our / place. this he finds would be hard work to do, for we are called the best in the vicinity, and by all odds the largest one. I like Capt. Parkhurst very much and the members of the Co too. I tried to get in Capt Ayer's Co. but could not. I may possibly by and by. He wants me very much. My health is very good indeed, it could not be better. I received a small package from Mother through Capt Moury. I immediately wrote a letter returning my sincere thanks. was it received? I must now close with the Love of your affectionate Son
Albert.
 
Love to Mother, Susan and Walter
 
I shall expect you and wait anxiously for your coming. Lieut Bradford is now at home on furlough if you could see him he could possibly gain some information in regard to the travel &c. I do not know exactly where he lives, but will write him.
                                                                       
Yours affectionately Albert
 
Regards to all.
11079
DATABASE CONTENT
(11079)DL1610.025154Letters1863-03-27

Tags: Ambrose Burnside, Anger, Discharge/Mustering Out, Duty, Family, Furloughs, Payment, Pride, Promotions, United States Government, Weather

People - Records: 3

  • (3922) [writer] ~ Bates, Albert Greene
  • (3923) [recipient] ~ Bates, Reuben H. N.
  • (3925) [recipient] ~ Bates, Amy ~ Day, Amy

Places - Records: 1

  • (120) [origination] ~ Virginia

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SOURCES

Albert G. Bates to Reuben H. N. Bates and Amy Bates, 27 March 1863, DL1610.025, Nau Collection