Annapolis Dec. 19^th.1861.

 

My Dear Parents,

                                    To day we have had another review and Burnside was expected to be present to review the troops but for some reason unknown to us, he was not there. It is a very fine day, quite warm: as is most of the weather now a day I forgot to mention in regard to the review, that along side of Gen. Foster rode the Gov. of the state of Maryland, and after them some other of the great men of the state, and General Fosters aide. bringing up the rear was the members of the Legislature (or we supposed they were.)

 

Gov. Hix is quite a large man, rather old look, his hair is grey and altogether he is quite a noble looking old gentleman. After the review which last from nine until about one there was nothing more to be done until four oclock. /

 

a letter to Tillie: after I had finished having more time I begun one home, and wrote one line and one half then stopped.

 

Dec. 20^th. I have risen early this morning to try and finish this epistle to send by this morning’s mail, for there is not a great deal of time after day light before its time for the mail to go. The mails are not nearly as full now as they were a while ago, when mondays he used to have more than he could get in his bag. lately he has changed the hour; it used to leave camp here, for the city, at twelve oclock; now it has changed, and goes twice in a day, nine olcock A.M. and three oclock P.M. we get our letter at twelve noon and nine in the evening. It was said when we first arrived here that the Postmaster did’nt know hardly what to do, he had so many letters to look over. It is now six oclock near time for roll call, and there can be heard the roll of drums in / different directions round as they are drumming out their men.

 

This morning we went out to Battalion drill. we were all ready to drill all the five regt. were out, when order came from head quarters to be for review at eleven o’clock. we were marched to our quarters immediately to dress ourselves. just as we were preparing to march out again, Gen Burnside Gen Foster and and their aids rode into the field. In a few minutes the regt. were all in the field. We are going to the city this afternoon to escort the eleventh Regt. up. Ill get some of the boys to put this in the office

 

                                                                                                Your aff. Son

                                                                                                            W. L. Savage

 

I have just received a letter and paper from home.

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