5th Wisconsin Infantry - NEW

Item LTR-11989

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 3 pages, written in period ink.


Meridian Hill
Washington, DC
August 13, 1861
 
My Dear Aunt Cate,
 
I thought you would like to hear from me in Dixieland. I am in camp three miles from the Capital of the United States. I am very healthy and tough as can be. Camp life agrees with me first rate. I can lie down on the ground anywhere and go to sleep as well as on a feather bed.
 
We can see camps in every direction. In the encampment where I be, there are 5,000 men and 500 cavalry. We do our own cooking, and it is fun to live in camp and do nothing. We are getting awfully lazy, I can tell you.
 
I wish Uncle John had come out to our house the Saturday night before he did come, for I was home then. I saw Dan Mack in Washington today, and Duncan too. How is McQueen's folks and the rest of the folks and girls? I got a letter from Father yesterday and one from Waukesha.
 
It is pretty warm here, but not as warm as in Wisconsin. It has been as high as 94 degrees. In Waukesha, it was 104 degrees one day.
 
How is grandmother and the rest of the folks? How is the crabs there?
 
I have been sick a little since I came here. There are a few sick now. I enlisted for three years, but I think I shall come home sooner than that.
 
We are waiting for cooler weather, and then we start for Richmond. The Rebels are 12 miles from here. I am going as teamster for the company, I guess.
 
I have spoken for the place, and they said I could have it. 
 
No more at present. Write as soon as you can.  Direct to Warren D. Thomson, Company Founder, 5th Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers, Washington DC.
 
To Aunt Miss Cate Douglas