150 Years Ago (1864 4/3-4/4)

Brattleboro, April 3^rd, 1864.

Dearest Abiah,

I believe I was in Washington, when I quit writing there I was within a few hundred yards of Jacob I suppose and could not go and see him. That came of being trustworthy. Had to take charge of the men, keep them from running round. I could have fixed them, for I could have taken them to the barracks and I should have laughed to have seen them get out before I or the Captain came, but that would not be doing as I would be done by. At 8 o’clock the Captain came and we took the cars for home. Got into New York the next morning about 8 o’clock and stopped until the next day at 11, and in that time we all had the chance to go where we pleased. I was glad to lie still. I was as tired as I ever was in my life feet so sore that I could hardly step.

Just before night I got out to Lovejoy’s Hotel which was near by, the old place where I always stopped when I used to be in New York. There I took a shave and a bath and felt better in the evening. Went to the theater, Nibles Garden. There was a new actor and a new play. The actor was Albert Booth, the play was called “The Fool’s Revenge”. It created quite an excitement among those interested in such things. The house was filled to its utmost capacity and all was as quiet as any assemblage of people I ever saw. I wished that you could have been there with me. Notwithstanding. Home, home, that thought is ever with me. Notwithstanding the popularity of Mr. Booth and his “Fool’s Revenge”, I could see nothing very remarkable in either the play or the actor. I was pleased to see so respectable a house and there was nothing of an immoral tendency in the play. I never was in that theater before. The next morning I went to Burnham’s Museum and spent an hour and a half. How many times I thought of the children while there. How much I should have liked to take them to such a place. There was one thing there that interested me much, that was a seal. At 11 we took the cars for home, or for Brattleboro and reached here 9 o’clock. I called on Mr. Reed in New York.

My health is good. We have some good cooks and live first rate. I have not studied much for some time. There has been a good deal to do here since the snow went off, and we have had but two corporals in the company, and we always have to take charge of the men when on fatigue, but on Saturday had a new batch of corporals appointed. There are now six in the company. It will make it much easier for the rest of us. They have all come out with their stripes today and Oh Dear! Oh! Dear how big they are. I have not got mine on yet but have spoken to Mrs. Warren to fix me out with a set. Mrs. Warren has been boarding but he has hired a house and is going to keep house. He pays $1.00 per week for two rooms. He has bought a sewing machine and his wife is going to work for the shops in town. There were four men sent from these two companies to the front with the last detachment, one for getting drunk while on guard, 1 for forging passes, the other two getting drunk on all occasions when opportunity offered. One of them was our —. So it goes.

The weather here has been great for making sugar. In the towns, a little back from the river, great quantities have been made. We have not been paid yet, though I suppose we shall be sometime this week. There is no money to pay off in the Eastern Department. It was expected there by the first of April. Whether it has come or not I do not know. I saw Fred in town Saturday. He has not gone yet. I am in hopes that I shall see Susan before they leave. She wants to come up to the Barracks before she goes. What do you think of staying where you now are? I do not like the idea of your staying there very well. If you were more comfortably situated, I should enjoy myself much better than I now do.

 April 4^th. I broke short off. Once of the men had bought 6 lbs. of sugar and was melting it over in the mess room and gave me an invitation to help eat it. It was the first that I have had this Spring. I think that the season for making sugar is nearly over in this part of the country. You write about my coming home. I do not know when I shall come. It takes so much money. It will shrink my $26.00 too much and there is the balance on that wood and the keeping of the cow that will pull hard. I received a letter from Mr. Baxter today. He speaks encouragingly about getting a mission. He has made arrangements to have me go to the military school at Philadelphia. There are a great many applying for commissions and of course the examinations are more rigid, though Stone thinks that I should have no difficulty in passing. He went to Washington with us. It was rather a hard case for him as he was expecting his commission in a few days and then was going home on a furlough. He was ordered to Washington with the others that went out with us. If he gets home now it uses up his
furlough and the expense is considerable. He told me that Joseph was elected Constable of Brighton. I should like to write to Joseph, but I have actually no time. Please write to me how much money you want; if you are suffering in any way, I will write to Mr. Carruth or someone else to let you have the money. Do not make any debts if it is possible to get along without. Mr. Gray wishes to know something about his son Charles. I saw him in town a few days since. He said that he was quite well, and thought that he should go on to the Regiment soon. Well, I cannot finish this. Shall have to send what I have got.

Yours in love,

Charles.