Head Quarters Engineer Brigade

                                                                                    Washington DC Aug 16^th 1863

 

                                                Dear Agnes

 

            this warm afternoon finds me again seated to write you my regular sunday letter I am as usual well hoping this may find you all enjoying the same blessing the weather is very warm but we are taking comfort we do not have anything to do we drill three hours per day which is just enough to give us an appetite. but how long we will stay here yet I do not know I do not think longer than this month but I hope the weather will be much cooler before we leave here on friday last our paymaster visited us I think he was a welcome visitor. but only a ruination to very many of our boys as they spend their money for whiskey which is a curse/to our army and country I think if the liquor was all poured out our army would be much better off. last evening I was out side of the camp to spend the evening I was in company with two young men and their sisters also the father and mother they are a very interesting family and are very kind and clever to all the young men are smart and very lively and the young ladies are equally so. I would often pay them a visit but owing to the strict rules of our camp I cannot do so

 

when I am sitting in my tent in the evening how often I think now what a pleasant evening I could spend if I were at some particular place and with one whom I love many a long evening hour passes slowly away in silent thought but Dear Agnes we will live in hope when we may be permitted to spend the silent hours of a peaceful evening together I hope that time is not far distant but no telling how long or how soon/

            I have not seen my Brother as he is in the front. I received a letter from one of my brothers at home to day he says he is coming down to see me if he can get away from home I would like to see him very well. he was not drafted I did think he would be one among the number of those who would have to come but he was on of the lucky ones this time. I also received a letter from my Brother at Williamsport his family has been sick but are fast recovering he sent me a full list of the drafted in the last mentioned place very many with whom I was acquainted with. well I cannot tell you any interesting news concerning the army or any thing els news of all kinds are dull and as I have another letter to write I will close hoping soon to receive in return an answer. my love to your Mother Aunt C Dan and all but remember you have the true and sincere love of your devoted lover                     F C Miller to Agnes

 

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