Steamer Diana.

March 8^th/63.

 

Dear Parents & Brothers,

            This finds me here, well it does, on board the War Steamer Diana, and if I am not much mistaken I have got the what is generally called the Mumps. did you ever see a squirrel with a Hickory nut in each cheek. if you did you can imagine how I look. I took the Mumps the first night I was on the boat, otherwise I am enjoying middling good health. we came onto the boats last Wednesday. so far the comfortableness of the boats by far exceeds any of my former anticipations. I have never before been in / a house or building of any kind that was half as nice as these boats are. in the cabin especially they are all like Pat's Lady, old boats newly rigged, and are just like any other steamer excepting that there is a wall of oak 6 inches thick all around it up even with the hurricane deck. there are five boats, my Co is on the Gen^ls boat, the Autocrat, but the band all had to leave their Co^s and go on the Co^ls boat, the Diana. we expect to leave here in a few days and go down the river as far as Cairo. likely we will stay there a week or more and then go down as far / as Memphis, which, I think will be as far as we shall go for the first trip. Well, I have not much to do, only to play at Revellie and Tattoo. the first thing the band done after we got on board, was to go on the hurricane deck and give the Yankee Doodle in common time first, and ended it by playing double quick time. I have got the old Bass yet. whenever we play we go on the deck, where we have a fine view of the river and boats to a great distance. if I only keep well I can enjoy myself first rate. Well, I got my likeness taken, and just at the right time. I could not get it taken any sooner on account of / having a large boil on my right jaw, and another on my left wrist, and if I would have waited till now it would have made a funny looking picture. I got two taken, and send both along. T J Albright made a present of a splendid silver mounted rifle to the City Home Guards, a few days ago. I have not had time to go to see him yet I had time but no money, and I wanted to wait till I had some. I could go to see him now if I was well. I sent word to him yesterday by an old man that is acquainted with him, to come down and see me. Well I must close for the presant. I hope this will find you all in good health, or getting better at least;

 

Address, to Co A, 1^st Inf^t Reg^t, Miss Marine

Brigade, Care Cap^t Newell.

            Flag Steamer, Autocrat.

By way St Louis, Mo.

 

I remain your affectionate Son,

                                    Wm O Albright.

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