Aug 28^th 1861 "Head Quarters" Camp Cameron Washington, D.C.

 

            My Dear Aunt

                                    As it is rather rainy and wet this morning and I am excused from drill I can think of no better way of improving my time than in directing my thoughts towards home well knowing that you will be glad to hear from me I am seated in my tent on my knapsack with my cartridge box in my lap for a desk as independent as a king quite a fancy way of writing so you must excuse me if I do not do this paper good justice situated as I am I arrived at camp on Rikers Island after leaving your place the following Sabbath afternoon after spending over half a day with Mr Sawtell found our regiment making hasty preparations for their departure which took place the Wednesday following at 6 oclock P.M. we took the boat for Elizabethport N.J. whithout stopping at N.Y. City at all when we arrived at E. we took the cars for Baltimore passing through Reading and Harrisburg Penn. when this side of Harrisburg our engine was thrown off the track by a rail in the track being misplaced about nine oclock at night I suppose by some of the rebels although there was union guards along the road to protect it there was Southerners living near there and it was very dark so it is not known whether it was them or not fortunately the train was going very slow so that no one was injured we imediately (after starting the next morning) loaded our arms having learned that the southerners were / calculating to mob us in B (they thinking that our pieces were not loaded) when we arrived there we got off the cars and formed in a line of Battle the crowd began to gather around when one of our men accidentally shot off one of his hands which disclosed to them that we had loaded guns they finding we were so well armed did not attempt to molest us we stood in line about half an hour when we found we had got to march two miles through the city in order to take the cars for W. in marching there we raised our colors beat our drums and Hurrahed for the union just as much as we were a mind to when we got to the depot a sad accident occurred our men were allowed too much liberty and they foolish fellows went right to some grocery and bought liquor in which poison was administered so that two of them died in about an hour we arrived in this place Friday night about 8 oclock we at once prepared to encamp for the first time right out in open air on a gravelly hill near by awoke in the morn to find ourselves almost wet through with dew but very much refreshed from our tiresome ride never slept better in my life we are now quartered at Camp Cameron the most pleasant situation around here and the quarters of the Seventh Regiment when they were here we have plenty of water (two good springs) and evrything that we could expect my eyes are some better so I feel well contented and happy although I often think of home our pay roll is being made out today and the calculation is I believe that / we will be paid off Monday next our company is expected as the left wing to take the leading column in the next Battle we are to have the new minnie muskets we were to have enfield rifles but these are supposed to be better than them. well my dear Aunt it is clearing off and I guess I shall have to drill after all so please excuse me for this time and I try and do better the next give my best respects please to all of our folks Mr Trimbles and all others who are kind enough to enquire I wrote to Mr Trimbles folks yesterday Oh! how is your health now please write me particularly every item as I shall be very anxious to hear from you all and shall look for a letter soon I will now close by bidding you adieu I may never see you again but I will now close hoping for the best and remaining

 

                                                                        your affectionate nephew

                                                                                    Alfred C. Woods

 

            P.S. Please direct as follows

                                                Anderson Zouaves

                                                            Camp Cameron

                                                            Washington, D.C.

                                                Company E care of Capt Riggs

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