Washington Bks. D.C.

June 9^th 82

 

My dear Net

                        I recd your last letter several days since, and now I will undertake to write something in reply. The weather however is awfully hot and I expect I will be brief, which very likely will be mutually satisfactory as I dont know what in the world to write about, & in consequence will necessarily be dull. I suppose you are in the midst of the cherry season now, as your letter indicated. I was rather surprised to learn that the prospect was so promising, as I had supposed the fruits of all kinds had nearly all been killed by the spring freezes. Florence I / guess is busy shipping, canning, preserving &c while Mary & Annette are equally busy getting in the way & otherwise interfering. I have been having an unusually pleasant time in rather a quiet way. We had, not long since, an amateur theatrical performance in which, I will probably surprise you with the information, I took a part. We went into it with the idea of merely amusing ourselves but after trial, it dawned upon us that there was too much talent in the party to be smothered in private, so we gave a public performance—that is to the garrison and invited friends, and our performance was flattered immensely. Miss Watkins whom I suppose you remember Miss Ayres, the Genl's daughter, Miss Niles, Greble, Ayres & myself were the performers. It took place in the large room of Gen'l A—with stage, scenery, curtain &c complete mostly borrowed from Fords Theatre. We have also had picnics, boating, and dances every Monday evening &c &c. altogether we have been quite gay. I have been playing a good deal lately with Mrs Smith. She plays much better than I had any idea, though her piano is a poor one. It has not been determined yet what time we will go into camp, though it is thought between the 15 & 20 inst. I doubt however if we get off before the 1^st of July & I rather hope we will not, for I fear we will get rather too much of camp life before we get through with it. Our camp will be located at a / small place named Gaithersburg on the B & O road about 23 miles from Washington. It is said to be quite a pretty place & quite desirable as a camping ground. It is expected that most of the ladies from the garrison will go out & occupy tents—Give my love to all the family & write soon

 

Affectionately your brother

Rezin

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