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January 5th, 1862 |
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Washington Jany 5th 1862 Dear Mother, I guess you will begin to think by this time that I had forgotten to write but that is not the case. We left Albany last Monday and got as far as New York that day, staid in New York until ½ past ten Wednesday for Washington did not see anything worth mentioning until we got to Philadelphia. There we were met by a committee inviting us to take some refreshments prepared by the ladies of that place. They showed us a great deal of attention and talked to us as they would to their own sons and brothers. We took the cars at five o clock again and started but it soon got to be dark so that there was nothing to be seen, got to Baltimore about 3'o clock the next morning. The police there are all soldiers armed with muskets and revolvers, there was one on nearly every corner when we passed through. A person would be apt to think from that that the authorities did not have much confidence in the people of that city. Did not get to Washington until ½ past Six in the morning, got some breakfast and then started for our camp which is about three miles from the Capitol. We have got a Splendid spot for a camp, the farm of a Secessionist which has been confisicated. We can see about twelve miles each way from the camp, there are about five or six thousand troops encamped within two miles of us, there are two brass bands a short distance from us which furnish plenty of good music. We have been very bussy since we have been here putting up tents and getting uniforms. We have got some verry nice tents and manage to sleep verry comfortable but we had to buy some stoves in order to keep from freezing as it has been verry cold. Since we got here it snowed some yesterday the first that has fell here this season. It is quite warm and pleasant today though. I thought when I was at Albany that I should not like soldiers life as they lived more like Hogs than men there, but I think that Albany must be the worst place in the state for when we got to New York where there was double the troops there was at Albany, we found everything as nice as anyone could ask for. We have plenty to eat here and thus, that is nice, such as pork, beef, salt, and fish, rice, hominy, beans, coffee, sugar, and syrup, and good new bread all the time, coffee three times everyday. Since the boys have got their uniforms it is hard telling who they are I do not think you would know me if you should see me now, we have the best uniform there is in the service. The captain expected to go in to the second regiment but when we got here the Col. put him in the first regiment which makes it full. It was another company came yesterday which filled out the second so as soon as they get guns they will be all ready for any thing that may come along I think you must be getting tired by this time so I will stop here Give my love to all the family. Your aff Son C J Hardaway Company D First regiment Berdans Sharp Shooter Washington DC
Sharp Shooting - We were on Mon-
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