Elmira N Y

Feb 2^ond or 3^d rather

for it is past 12 P.M. 1865

 

 Dear Parents I Recieved your letter this eve about 7 P.M. and now sit down to answer it I am standing in the same old tracks for health hoping this may find you all in better for it maters not how good a person's health is for comforts of a happy life.

 

Friday Eve Feb 3^d/65

I will now say I concluded to not finish my letter last eve so will write a little more in it this eve and finish to morrow or at least betwixt now and monday. I was musterd out to day and am agoing to start for Washington Monday if nuthing happens I shant get all of my pay untill I get to Washington. then I am in hopes of getting straightened up. I would like to send you a photograph of the Old American Eagle which floats his wings so gallant over my Discharge. he is the best / Old Eagle I ever saw and the same one I'v bin fighting for—for the past 3 years. mother you need not fret about me for I can take care of myself as long as health lasts and when thats done I hope to have enoughf friends to do it if nessisary. I dont know what I shall get into yet but shall write soon as I get stationed somewhere I am in hopes to get a little money to morrow if I dont I shall have to go with out but I have 20 lots left and thats good & good enoughf as long as it does last. tell Dolphin for me to get his blanket & save for me untill I write for I may be where I shall want it sent to me I shant stop any where down to Washington unless I can get a plase where I can clear my 55 or $40.00 per month and then I think I can make a living I am having a good time here but I dont like it on account of so many blacklegs the City is full of them But long as I dont have my money Im not afraid of them. I will close till to morrow good eve /

 

Saturday Eve Feb 4^th/65

                                                Well I went down to the Office to Day and tried to settle up with the Government but they dident have my money So I shall lay over untill monday or Tuesday then I shall take the cars for Washington I think I shant go untill tuesday for I am in hopes of hearing from Uncle Albert by that time. I have heard from Washington I can get into business there at $50.00 per month & government rations. I guess I shouldent go down if it wasent for my pention. But I want to get that started if a possible thing. But am affraid I cant get a Pention Certificate which I shall need to draw it on and the is some 30 or $35 comeing to me on clothing account which I cant get now neithor do I get a Sent's transportation from here home But I am agoing to follow it up and try it at Washington for I cant see the point of letting the Government have it long as it dont belong to them. I will now say I have bin washing to day. have washed 2 shirts and my gray pants & vest & 1 pr. drawers 1 socks. I will close this eve & finish to morrow as it cant go out till monday from EB /

 

Sunday Feb 5^th/65

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