Washington D.C Feb 23^d 1864

                                                                                   Fredrick A. Cady. Esqr

DSir

 

According to promise I have got to the point where I can fullfill my engaguement to write to you=I should have writen before but I have been as much engagued as a day catching fleas ever since I have been in Washington=that is ever since my return the last time

 

            I started from Painted Post the next night after I left Ovid at 10.Oclock in the eavning; for NYork City=left NYork on Monday morning at 8.Oclock for Washington City=got here at 71/2 in the eavening and here I have been ever since, superintending the erection of these infernal Barracks; I have about 200 men under me, every one of them wilder than/Freemonts woolly horse; and it takes all my time to keep the Devils straight. But I dont let it worry me. I dont think I will loose any flesh in the operation=I get up about 8 in the morning and devote about 6 hours in the middle of the day to them, and then turn them over to the next officer under me; and let him take care of them

 

            I like the army first rate=there is just anough of adventure and risk in it to sute me=but when I go home I enjoy myself well, till I come to start back again; and then comes the rub; my poor wife thinks that every time she bids me good bye that it is for the last time; and she becomes fully impressed that it is for the last time and all I can say; I can not make her think otherwise; and this sends me back again to my duty with a heavy heart, and I have a little tutch of the blues for a week or two afterwards. until we get to corisponding again; and this feeling wears off/

 

Fred, you know I always was a predestinarian; almost to the point of fatalisam=I believe a man will live the alloted time set down for him by his maker; and not one hour longer; and if he is to be mustered out of existance by a musket ball: all he can do he can not evade it; therefore there is no use of dodgeing=but face the music like a man=all men must die once; and if I had my choice; I had much rather die with boots on; in full harness; than to kick out a six weeks from; after wearing out the souls and bodies of all your friends but I dont believe this is to be my lot; I am coming home after this war is over to pester you all=I believed when I entered the army that I should live to see the end of the war, and I believe it yet. but if it is not to be so=no man can prevent it=therefore where is the wisdom to fret about it

 

I think I will go to the front in about two weeks and take command of my company. from what I can hear; my prasance/is sadly needed there and the sooner I go the better

 

In regard to that old lady in your place who had a son killed at Chancillersville; if she will write to William F. Bascom 389 H Street Washington D.C=or to the Sanitary Commission Pension agency Washington D.C she can get all the aid she needs It will be necessary for her=(if possible) to get the certificate of his captain or some other commissioned officer; having personal knowledge of the facts=setting forth the time=place and circumstances under which her son died=if he died in hospital the certificate of the Sergion would be sufficiant

 

If she wishes to intrust the collection of her sons back pay and bounty to Mr Bascom=I will do anything in my power to aid her in the matter If you will write me by return mail I will procure all the blanks she will need to set the thing in motion

 

Tell her that if she can procure the above certificate: she can get the money in the way I point out to her; free of cost

 

all the reenlisted men in my Regt wer assigned to towns for local bounties before I got back, fifty four started for N.Y. this morning

 

write me as often as you can, and if you can stand it to read this rambling letter I will give you an other I am Sir your Obt Servt

                        Capt M H M^cGrath

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