Carver Barracks Merideon Hill DC Feb 19/62

 

            Dear wife I received your leter to day I was happy to hear from you & no you was well. iff I understand the law right Frank Nash cant do enny thing untill I get home I should think the cow was worth $30.00 you might ask Mr Carpenter what he thinks she is worth he has a beter chance to the valure of stock there than I have if you sell the cow & dont need all the money to use I dont no but you had beter save it toward bying a yoke of oxen in the spring I think I shall bee paid of a bout the 17^th of March again save if you dont want all of that money to use you had beter save it towards bying a yoke of oxen the spring I dont no but E. H. Lapham may have a pair to sell I think likely you might get a pair by giving a bill of sale of the stock Perhaps Mr Carpenter might no ware you could get a pair when you need them I think william had beter go to the Accadame if he can I think you had beter get some oats to sow that grow on rocy land to sow it is raining to day here whe had some snow here last Saturday it has gone off now it has ben dull for a number of days /

 

Whe had 40 of our men detailed last Monday to go on an expidition on the Misisippa I think whe they was take en from our Brigade one from a company I think whe should have mooved before this time if the traveling had ben so whe could whe have mooved the traveling is such here now that an Army with heavy artilry could not moove now I think the war will bee short Whe had a lively time here last Monday evening when whe got the news of the surrender of Fort Donilson and the capture of Savannah the capture of Savannah is not confirmed but whe think there is no dout about it there was fireing of guns bonfires the bands plaid & the Barracks was illumanateed Whe had some fine weather here last week it was as plesant as April in Maine whe have ben practicing at fireing with our new rifles I have an easy time now since I have ben detailed from of the Collor guards I am exempt from all duty except drilling I have to put on My health is prety good now the health of our Regiment is verry much improveing now there has ben a large number of them died our Company has lost the most of enny Company in Regiment 7 inn all I send the chrildren a union song tell them they must learn it 

 

I received a leter from Laura last week also from Lemuel Lucy alen & Nancy I sent Lemuel my ambrotipe he sent for it & sent the money to pay for it I ha it take en with my new frock coat on They are well exceping Mother she has ben very slim this winter she is beter now I have leters from him often & papers I am afraid the feavor will go hard with Mr Mores give my best respect to all that enquires after me out of regard & kick all that enquires after me for speculation

 

Next Saturday I expect will bee a lively time in Washin next Saturday Washington Birth Day they intend to have a grand selabration & in Baltimore I did not no Tom Steevans was in the 3 Maine when I was over there I have herd from him a number of times since one of our men is well acquainted with him Give my love to all the Chrildren

 

rite soon from your husband

A T Katon

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