Johnsons Island.

April 26^th /65

 

Honored Brother,

            The Band has just struck up one of her solemn and lonely heirs and the men have all fell in line to have a grand Parade in commemoration of our late President here I sit in my bunk close by the window and the line has formed so that I can have a nice view of it. how solemn it looks. every man has his full uniform of pale blue. all have white gloves on standing with their muskets at a rest on arms, that is with the muzel placed on / their left toe and both hands on the butt with their heads resting on them. now the Band strikes up the dead march, which almost makes me shudder to hear. it is far more solemn to me to hear the muffled drums bearing a corpse to its grave than to listen to the tolling of a Church Bell. now the Parade is dismissed with that old Patriotic Strain, the Red, White and Blue. Every American, or rather every Citizen of the United States should have enough respect for that departed friend, our second Father countryman, and the order and request of present commander, to lay aside all work for today and give thanks to God for / his blessings so far and ask his assisting grace to help us on that war may soon be done away with, and peace and prosperity fill its place.

 

Your kind letter reached me this morning which gave me much hapiness to know that all were well and that you were enjoying yourselves so well. It found me with very good health and in as fine spirits as the present circumstances will admit. news is so favorable that I have a faint hope of joining you in the harvest field this summer yet. I should like much to be there at that time, but I would be like a city clerk just out of the store room, so far as my / physical powers are concerned. There is a flying report which I am somewhat inclined to believe that this corps will be mustered out before long, but it may be just a flying report.

 

Well Alvin, you spoke about Bets kicking so. be very careful with her. I want to get a bargain out of you for her when I come home the thought has just come to my mind about your speaking of remaining on the farm. I should like to know what your intentions are now that is if you have settled your mind about it. you can let me know what you think about it any how. I was somewhat tickled when you spoke about that light in the window a few nights ago.

 

Well my sheet is full and I shall close this time. may a successful and happy life attend you.                                                                                    

 

Farewell. W^m H Bone.

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