.MjAzNg.MzMxMw

"This item is currently being transcribed by a volunteer. We look forward to making the full-text of the document available soon."

                                                            Frederick City
                                                             Feb 14th 1867

My Dear Sister,

   We have arrived at our destination and become settled once more in our Arab mansions and I now take up my quill to inform you that I am alive and well - safe and sound. After being without sleep for 2 nights and tramping through mud & snow with wet feet- I am almost surprised at myself to find that I have not even taken cold- so that you may I can withstand the hardships of camp life pretty well. Frederick is a very pretty town built mostly of brick & surrounded by a very fine country.
  We took our horses and guns down to the depot on Sunday about non through mud knee deep- got every [?] abourd and started about  7 O clock- on the Baltimore R.R arrived at the [?] house about 9 0 where we struck of on another branch and arrived in this city - about 3 o clock in the morning of Monday 3d, about daylight  in commenced snowing from the N.E and continued during the day - we had our horses to take from the cars (110) and feed- guns to unload-also the baggage- & and remove it all to camp and pitch our tents - & then what did they do but appoint me Corporal of the guard at night where I had to go out every two hours and tramp around the camp through mud and snow with wet feet to post the guard which you may imagine was a very [?] thing but I cant see it. [?] is quite good sleeping here on the [?] today . To see the sleighs glide the street and the bells [?] reminds me of old times. The buildings in this city are mostly 2 + 3 stories. The country around is beautiful far more so than any we have yet [?] ins, and the inhabitants are very friendly and then we can get every thing cheaper than any other place we have yet been in. George Draper(Sergent of the guard) and I went out this morning and got a good breakfast of ham and eggs for 23cents I shall have to close as I have several letters to write. You must write very soon and give me all the news 
  My love to all,
         Very Affectionately, 
                  Your Brother

Direct to

         [...]

Just remember that you are all owing me a letter now.

                                                 Captn Cothren's Battery
                                                   Frederick City
                                                   M.D.

Gen. Banks' Division