Washington D.C.

                                                                                                Camp Casey Jan 29^th

 

            Dear Brother Garret

                                                                                                                        I embrace

the opportunity of a stormy day to write you a few lines. I received your letters in due season and right glad I was to hear from you. Wilson and myself are both well and getting along finely. we enjoy soldiering stormy weather about as well as we do dry weather for then we do not have to drill so much and have more time for mental culture. The worst of wet weather is that we live in a mud hole so much so that when we step out doors we are nearly shoe top in mud. We are not scolded at all for having dirty shoes and pants. I should be very loath to have you see us just about now.

 

That Box you sent came to hand safely and I tell you we had a nice time of it. Frying sausages, eating pies, cakes apples, chickens &c “who wouldn’t be a soldier” Why it made us feel as happy as any body with all their nice things. We lived / rather “High” for a while I can tell you James sent us one but a few days before, and together, they kept us along finely we are not entirely through with them yet. We shall ever be grateful for such Love tokens. We know better how to appreciate them, than many who have not experienced them may think. We have not yet seen the time when we have actually suffered for want of food, although we have been hungry but it was not in Camp. Our meals are regular, and such as they are, a plenty of it. I am sure Wilson and I get enough, for we have charge of the commissary department of the Company. There are some gormandizers, and some who have always lived poor, that complain of what they get to eat. it is not so much of the quantity as it is the quality. Wilson and I have not yet been able to get out together since we have been here. But I think that as soon as the Captain recovers sufficiently to take command of the company we will get out and get those likenesses of yours. You must think we are very negligent in regard to them. Our quartermaster has told me / several times that we expected to draw a new suit of Clothes in few days now for several weeks passed, but as yet they have not made their appearance. We live partially on disappointments down this way. So much so that they do not seem to affect us much. we have got quite used to them. The guns we brought from N.Y. have been condemned and have been promised others that is far better, but they have not yet made their appearance. The government offered us the Austrian Riffle but the Colonel refused to accept. We want the Springfield Rifle, or Enfield Rifled Musket with Sabre Bayonet, or the Minnie Rifle Musket. I believe we shall hold out until we get one of them. At all events we shall not go on the battle field with ones we have now. I am now acting the Orderly for the Company as our first Sergeant has gone to New York recruiting for the regiment. We do not know when he will be back. Our first Lieutenant has not yet arrived. We are all anxious for active opperations and I believe that General M^cClellan will accomidate us soon. / We do not know where we will be sent but I hope farther South.

 

We suppose you are all well, for letters come very scatering lately. I have been looking for a letter from James several days but as yet in vain. We have received some papers from you and James for which we heartily thank you. We send love to all our friends especially to you and Jane and Willie. Tell Willie not to cry for one of these fine days he will see us coming to his house as big and fat as ever. Three kisses to Willie and three cheers for the Union and I close.

 

If England wants anything just let her fall in with the “Gallant Eighty Seventh” and she will get her fill. Do not talk about enlisting. I am wiser now than when I enlisted. If I had it to do over again I would do it altogether in a different way. There is too much buying and selling in the army to suit honest men. But I must close.

 

                                                                        for the Present Good Bye

(write soon)                                                     Yours Affectionately

                                                                                    Jonathan Sproul

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