Here I am once
more & I will write a few lines
to let you know how I got here etc.
I got to Boston at 9 o’clock & started
from the Providence Depot at 11:30
passed thru Providence Stonnington
New London & New Haven arriving
in New York at 7:30 P.M. crossed
over to Jersey City & took the cars
there at 11 o’clock & arrived in
Washington at 10 o’clock Sunday
A.M. had to wait till Monday
morning as there is but one boat
a day & that leaves at 7 o’clock
in the morning. It was lucky I
went to Exeter & took the first
train, otherwise I should not

have got here till Tuesday one day
behind time. We had a very
pleasant sail down the Potomac.
It was a splendid day. I got here
at 2 o’clock Monday P.M.

I found the boys nearly all gone.
300 picket men from this brigade
– 125 from this regt under Col Cross
left here Sunday night on a secret
expedition. They went in light march-
ing order with a day rations &
a large supply of ammunition
on pack mules. No one knows
where they are going tho we hear
they have crossed the river
30[?] miles above here. A similar
detachment was sent out by each
Division of the Army. The best
men that could be found
were to meet at same place
& be under command of same
General. They were doubtfully
have some fun before they get

back. I wish I was with them
tho I could not have gone had
I been here. As none of the orderly
was allowed to go they were left
to take care of the men in camp.
We have about 60 men left here.
It is very dull times. A small
portion of our forces. One corps I bet
crossed the river last week &
encamped just below the city
right under the Rebels noses. Some
say they have come back but I
don’t know. Hooker is evident-
ly up to something. I hope he will
do a big thing here soon & put a
stop to the croaking up North.
If he does fail I don’t know
who they will get next.
But I think Hooker is the man and
will win.

well I weighed myself coming
out & weighed 185 pounds. Last month
I weighed but 160. This is 10 pounds
more than I ever weighed before.
I wrote to Mother yesterday. I hope
she does not feel very bad.
I am glad you stayed a few days
with her. I told the doctor about
my humor, he said it could
not be that. If it was it would
have been through the whole
regt. long ago. Everyone in the Co.
would have had it at any rate.
It seems as though it would
have been so. I am not entirely
rid of it yet but hope the
[-----?] will finish it.
Please write soon & I will keep
you and doctor posted on our
movements.

How do you do, and
how are the children. I want to
see you. Shant go to church to-
day. Am perfectly well, only lonely.
Your Father got G. letter in a
few moments after you left
came down in the train you went
off in, it seems he was detained
in Washington just long enough
to save the march and cavalry
fight. All right can’t you see.