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Washington
D. C.
Aug. 11, 1861
It seems hardly possible for me to give a
connected account of our journey or anything else there is so much
confusion here; army wagons coming from and going to the cars, drums
beating, bands playing, etc. Our
company are all wet now. I
have been so all the time that I left which is more than some of
them can say. Should
like a good cup of tea or coffee this morning, have had but one
since I left.
Our Regiment left
Norwich
on (the) steamer <i>
Connecticut
</i>. Embarked on
the steamer John Porter for
Amboy, from which place went by R. R. to
Philadelphia
. Arrived there at 5
a.m. the 9th, had a pleasant time as we were permitted to
go about the city. We
had the best reception here of any place on the route.
Left Philadelphia for
Baltimore
by R. R. at 11 a. m. arrived there at 7 p. m.
Had a fine time there.
As soon as we left the cars were drawn up in a line and
ordered to load with ball and cartridge, and then the band played,
the tune of “
Dixie
” as we marched
through the principal streets. It
was very warm, and the thermometer stood at 96 degrees.
Left Baltimore for
Washington
at 11 P. M. on the 10th, arrived at 6 a. m. , the 11th,
on Sunday morning, I suppose you would call it , but it don’t seem
like our good old New England Sabbath morning.
We are now quartered in a large granite
building on
Pennsylvania avenue, in sight of the Capital, the White House, Patent Office. Can’t
tell where we are going, some say under Banks, others McClellan.
We are to leave at 4 in the morning for Meriden Hill about
two miles from the Capitol. There
are all kinds of rumors afloat in regard to the rebels.
Monday morning 7 a. m. Have
arrived at our place of destination
and got the tents pitched.
There are 13 regiments on the field, and more coming on every
train. There are between
90 or 100 regiments within 5 miles of us, and a good chance for a
battle in a few days. Our
pickets are sent within two miles of their camps.
The hospital is within 80 rods of our tents. Sickel’s
Brigade is on the other side of the river about 3 miles from us, on
a high hill. Have just
been round the camp to see what there is to be seen, and my vision
was greeted by the most splendid sight I ever beheld. The
first thing that claimed my attention were the pickets, who were out
practicing. They go on
horseback when they go over into
Virginia
and keep on their horses, riding back and forth from one post to
another. The next were
the skirmishers, they number 5000.
The weather is hotter than____ well, than for convenience!
Going through
Baltimore
I sweat(ed) so that my Testament was wet through.
There was a sheet of adhesive plaster in it and it stuck it
all together, and it looks as though it had lain out in a rain
storm: I used to think it was pretty hot work to drill in Webster,
but it isn’t a comparison.
It is uncertain how long we will remain here,
for everything looks like a battle.
Reports is that there are 120,000 rebels within 7 miles of
the city. We have to
hold ourselves in readiness
to march at an hours notice, and sleep with loaded guns by our side,
which are not very comfortable bed fellows.
The wells were poisoned
here last week and five of the men died, but sentinels are
kept posted by the wells
now. I will write again
soon, in the mean time send me a Times, for it would almost seem
like seeing Webster people to read our Webster paper.
G.W.L.
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