MyDearM-

 

Your letter of June 21^st was duly recd and I would have answered it last

Sunday had it not been for-well I dont know as I have any excuse only laziness. No I wont scold you but a little for taking that walk and being out so late nights if you will promise not to do so any more. but you must look out "when this cruel war is over" or I shall have a long reckoning against you. The way you handle the broom handle question frightens me exceedingly so much so that I have been ungallant enough not to answer Miss Georgia's letter. That will be another hair pulling scrape if I ever dare show myself in Massachusetts again.

 

You told me not to quarrel with Corporal S but I could nt help it. I promised him a pass the Fourth if he was off duty but I knew he would be on that day. I put him on guard yesterday and to say he was mad would be a mild expression. But twas no use he had to go Ha! Ha! I suppose I might have arranged it a little different but he must not make appointments in the Capitol Park and not tell me of it thinking I shouldn't find it out.

 

So you are Sunday School teacher the one year? Well / I dont know of anyone better qualified for that position than you are my dear though perhaps you dont believe it yourself.

 

Melissa has played out. You are getting good friends again and you're going around visiting schools together &c. now what do you say now? Then Gertie has been down has she? Do you remember the evening we had a walk You & Parker me & Gertie? When we went down the track most to Hincklys-She was quite happy that evening if I remember but it didnt last long. Whether she ever "cared considerable" for me I only know from what you or Ann have told me. I never asked her anyway.

 

I think Shuttlepin & Sue had better hitch up dont you? they've been bothering round about long enough five or six years ain't it? How did you spend the fourth? I will tell you how I celebrated yesterday. We formed Regimental line at 8 oclock AM marched to the City Hall where we formed a brigade with three other regiments. The procession started from there at ten oclock all the "big bugs" except uncle Abe being in it. We marched up Pennsylvania Avenue from 3d Street to I dont know where but should judge five or six miles, up another Street a mile or so then back to the Avenue and down that to our barracks on East Capitol Street arriving here at Two oclock. All this time we done nothing but Event duty (marching).The streets were very mudy and such a mud. It was black and dirty smelling / like an old hog pen. Washington is just the very dirtiest City on this Continent. The Sun was shining hot and not a breath of air stirring. As we were coming back men commenced to fall out all along. Two ambulance loads were picked and brought in some of them sun struck and very badly off. I was acting Sergeant Major of the regiment that individual being sick and so had no gun to carry. But a sword is heavy enough on such a march I assure you. Thats all the Celebration l had. Some of the boys had more as the guard books show this morning.

 

You ask me when I think I shall come home-not till after the war is over I fear. The Malitia of this District are called out to be sworn in tomorrow for sixty days They will take about eight or ten thousand mostly from Georgetown & Washington. I dont