Alexandria V^a.

April 23^d 1865

 

Dear Parents I am again found seated for the purpose of writing you a few short lines altho I have not had any reply from my two last excepting one from Sophia saying you were not verry well and wanted her to write for you mother I am afraid you are down sick are you not. I know you would have written about 1 or 2 before this time. I would like to step into the house about this time and see what you are all at and who's there &c &c

 

its now Sunday the 23 15 minuets past 3 P.M. I am not to work to day have bin down to see a couple of buffaloe's which the Government owns they are a big thing thing any way and I must also say I see an ox he was a little thing dident weigh onley 30,000 Thirty thousand hundred weight 3000 think hundred weight. back of his fore legs he gurted 17½ and 18 foot in length. he was about 7 foot hight. But as you cant see those things I'll not make any further words about it but will change the subject into something of more importance first will say I have recieved no pay since I came here to Alexandria they are owing me the sum of $65# / I will now say I went to the Presidents Funeral it was one of the most Solomn scens that eye ever witnessed and I never saw as larg an assembly of people to gather as I did there I cannot tell with Pen nothing about it and as I have taken pains to send the Chronicle as regular as possible it will be usless for me to atempt it. therefor I'll not prolong the letter on any of the subject I wish you could have went to Buffalo and see his remains as his remains are agoing to N.Y.C. & Albany Buffalo and from there on home they took little Willie's remains with him I saw the coffin and hearse and team but couldent get a chance to see his remains as I had to come back to Alexandria that night. But we have got to put up with it and do the best we can altho we have lost the best man we have or had in the Union. I am verry thankful that the war is so nigh to a close the was pretty good signs of peace before he was called upon to leave this world for to depart and go to a land of rest. We hope that President Johnson will be as good but its doubted. well Ill change the subject by saying I am in good midling good health but have / had the headach considerable since I came here spose its because I have bin confined to a warm room and over a cook stove so much. I have give up cooking and gone into the gang to work with my tools I get along first rate so far. Gilbert Ingeham has renlisted and gone as soldiering again I dont know how much he got. men is a blacksmithing at Washington gets 45 per month $45# I guess he will get into our gang if he can. We expect to leave here before long dont know whether we will go to Shendoe Valley or Richmond or where but we will make more time when we leave here so we all are anxious to go but we want to go to Richmond I am going before I come home if I can arange things so to do so and come around all right in shape. I will now ask how my colts get along and if you have got them up in my pasture and if the is a fence built or if you think the can be a fence built for a small amount that will hold sheep I dont know whether Uncle Albert will think he had ought to give up the 2 sheep before shearing or not if he / will perhaps you had better get them and after shearing I will get 6 or 8 more and let them feed down the Brians. I had ought to be at home this summer to work on the plase but as I can do better here I will stay 4 or 5 months more then come home and stay next winter. Mother we will have some nice rides after my bonny horses I spose it will take Father and Dock & myself to hold them but I want a little life in them so they can get up and dust. write all the partickulars next time you write and if your not sick abead write pretty soon for I begin to want to see your hand writing appear before my eyes. well this short line is about filled out and I will bring this to a close hoping to hear from you by return maile and hear that you are all well where is Dolphin. Deloria and he must write a few lines and let me know the state of their constitutions I will close hoping this will reach you in good health from Eaph to

            Father and Mother Brother

and Sister Brown

SOURCES