Sunday October 5^th  1862.

 

My Dear Sister

                        I have delayed writing you for the past week, expecting every Day to rec’d the bundle, but I did not get it untill last evening. the RR here have all been used for the past 10 days for Military purposes, but last evening I got it. I am more than pleased with all the things. the Shirts in particular they are splendid. they suit me better than any I have seen in the City. Everyone that has seen them today admires them. but Cal how can I ever repay you all for so many favors. at present all I can do is to thank you all, but I hope some day, to acknowledge my thanks in a more substantial way.

 

Cal I have had considerable good luck in the past week. I have been detailed from the Co. to write in Major Gen N. B. Banks Office. I am in the Furlough Office. all I have to do is to keep a record of all furloughs applied for I have my Descriptive List and am for the time being free from the Co./how long it will last I cannot say but hope all winter or as long as I am a Soldier for it’s a good thing, for I have all the Liberties and Privileges of a Citizen, am allowed $5- pr week for Board, and extra pay, besides. how much I do not know at present, but will tell you all about it when I find out. I am for the present Boarding at a Hotel, but if it’s a permanent thing I shall try and find a Privat House. I never liked Boarding at a Public place. our office Hours are from 10 A.M to 8 P.M the f balance of the time I have to my self. I have a friend here from C—that is an acquaintance of Capt—de Hortville (the one who has charge of my Department) that got me detailed from my Co. so you are Cal I am Bound for a little good luck once for as such I consider it. it’s true I enlisted to serve as a Soldier out of pure and Patriotic motives & you may think I ought to serve out my time as such but Cal Patriotism is getting to be an old Story. Everyone trys to better his condition and I have made up my mind I would sooner live on my Country than die for it.

 

I have been through one siege & seven camp/aigns and always done my duty without a “grone” or a word of fault to find, and although there was many things I enjoyed in it, I have no desire to repeat it. but I may yet have to for this job may not last long, for all Business pertaining to Military officers are changeable, but as long as there is a furlough office in Gen Banks Command I can keep the place

we have a pleasant office on the cor Penn Ave and 15 1/2 St. just where Sickels Killed a Man from my window I can see the identicle Tree that Keyes fell against, the Tree is dead, either from the effects of the Barke being striped off from it, or wheather it died from mortification I cant say. all the Ladys that pass have to stop and look at it with intense eagerness and interest. wonder what they think about or find to interest themselfs in the old Tree.

 

            We are having splendid weather here now and have had for the past month.

 

            I have no war news to write, every thing is right quiet here & whats going on, I cant tell. what do you think about the fight in Maryland. dont you think Little “Mack” worried the Rebs some. Every one says that knows every any thing about it that the troops/never were handled as well on this continent or any other as he handled them there and if it had not been for old Wilis surrendering Harpers Ferry, I believe he would wound the whole business up, but the old d—l got his just dues—McClellan is not to blame for he has commanders under him that prove fickle on the day of Battle but by such men he can be defeated and then you People at the North howle at “Mack” and blame him for all the bad luck. I wrote to Ed last week I do hope he will get the place as Hospital Stewart it’s a good thing. what Regt is Ed moved in let me know the next time you write

 

if I stay here all winter I shall try and get a furlough myself although it is hard work to get one

 

I forgot to tell you that I saw [paper fold] when I was in fortress Monroe. he was sick in the Hospital Bill Colt & Jim Whelfly are in this city clerking in the Treasure Department. Hube Stoddard is at Alexandria clerking in the QrMasters Department I have not seen him since I came off the Peninsula tell suke I will answer her letter this week—when you write direct as before to the Co. for I am in the camp every day and its as safe a way as any you can send them. Gen. Banks is a fine man liked by everybody here.

 

Cal I have witten you a good long letter if not a very interesting one. pleas answer soon give my love to all. tell Mother I will write to her next time but I dont know as it makes any differens who the letter is directed to for I consider that if I write to one I wrote to all

 

                                                            From Your Affct Bro

                                                                                    Henry

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