Presidio of San Francisco Cal

July 22, 1871

 

Dear Howard

                        I have allowed your letter to remain unanswered much longer than I intended. But I will now endeavor to write something in reply, as I am on Guard and have some spare time, that I can devote to that purpose. Of course I will make spare time to write occasionally to my friends, and in particular to write home; and that is what I sometimes do. But you know that I have a very great tendency to wait until it arrives before making the effort.

 

            I returned about a week since from a trip through northern Nevada on a court martial going up as far as Camp M^cDurmot, a few miles from the Oregon line. An officer was tried on the charge of manslaughter; in ordering troops, who were on target practice, to fire while the marker was at the target & in consequence of which he—the marker, was killed. I enjoyed the trip considerably, as I always do any trip through a new section of country. But this was the most inconvenient and physically disagreeable trip that I have ever made. I never before realized what alkali dust, sage brush and sand was before. You might wallow for hours on a public road in six inches of dust and not become dirtier than we were while travelling in our ambulance. But I expect you know about as much about it as I do, if not more.

 

            I am still perfectly in love with the Presidio / and San Francisco; and am still "on pins" for fear of being ordered away. Capt Williston, who commands my Comp. is dissatisfied here, and is constantly agitating the subject of being ordered away, so I fear it will not be long before we drop down in some execrable hole, there to waste life away in idleness and inactivity. However I suppose I will become weaned from the fascinations of San Francisco in the course of time, and will then be able to find a considerable amount of pleasure and rational enjoyment amidst new scenes and in different ways

 

            There was a meeting of the associated Allumni of the state a few days since in Oakland, attending the opening exercises of the University of California. All graduates of Colleges and Professional institutions were invited—There were some very fine speeches made—an excellent collation was spread, after which witticisms and reppartee were the order of the day. in fact it was quite a feast of Rezin and flow of soul, and one of the most enjoyable affairs that I have ever attended. Oakland, you may not know, is the Brooklyn of San Francisco—just across the bay from it. The French Opera has been going in San Francisco, and consequently, so have I. The Grand Italian Opera will commence next week—and so will I—of course.

 

            I have gotten to the bottom of this sheet much sooner than I expected, and have certainly said but little. But I will close, hoping that you are all well and that I will hear from you very soon      

                                                 

Affect your brother

Rezin

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