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February 9th, 1862 |
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Washington Feby 9th 1862 Dear Mother I had begun to think that I should not get any letter this week but yours came just in time to save the week. I have been out since dress parade looking around the country and also through Glenwood Cemetery which is the most beautiful place I ever saw. The Country around Washington is splendid. I think if I live through the war I shall make my home in the south for you know that I have always had a great desire to do so. The past week has been quite an exciting one in our camp. Las Sunday night after everyboddy had got to sleep the Captain came into our tent verry still and wanted ten good men and chose me as one of them so up we jumped and dressed as quick as possible in the dark for we were not allowed to light a candle. We were then marched up tot he Colonels quarters where we found that each company had turned out ten men each making in all eighty men. After we were formed in line each man received a Colts revolving rifle with five charges in them and all ready cocked for action we began to think by this time that something was going to be did. The Colonel then gave us orders to fire when he gave the command and be shure and take good aim. We then marched down to the second Regt and arrested three officers and most of a company but did not meet with any resistance as we expected we then marched up to the officers mess tent and had to stay there all night and were not allowed to lay down our arms at all have not been called up but three or four times since but have to sleep on our arms every night without taking off boots or any thing Else. I guess we shall not have to do it much longer for the mutiny has pretty much died out. I can not describe my feelings exactly the first time that I went out but I think I felt a little worry for I did not know what I was going into. The second regiment have taken Colts revolving rifles and will probably be ordered off in a few days. Our regiment will get Sharps rifles about the first of March and then away we go. Some say to Missouri and some say to Texas but we can tell better after we get started. I will send home some photographs as soon as I can. I am glad you have sent som butter for we cant get good butter here all the time and we have to pay twenty five cents. We frowned at that. The boys go out forageing once in a while and milk all the cows they happen to find so we have bread and milk once or twice a week. You say that you lay awake with the blues on account of the war. I should advise you not to do it any more. I am a great deal nearer to it than you and I assure you that it does not keep me awake a minute. I have not had a letter from Lib yet think she is not verry punctual, but as long as I don't get my letters I shan't have them to answer there is some consolation in that. Tell Somers I will send him some papers and answer his letter right away. As it is time for roll call I must Say good night. Your aff Son |
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