Part 1 of 25 in Civil War Letters of Algernon H. Scribner. The date below is the letter’s historical date; the article retains the collection’s publication date.
Historical language: This letter contains racist language, retained as part of the historical document.
Date note: The transcription prints October 18, 1863. The accompanying timeline places the regiment’s arrival in Washington in October 1862; the discrepancy has not been silently corrected.
Letter transcription
Washington Oct 18 1863 Dear Father,
I have just time enough to write a few lines to let you know that I am well and in good spirits we arrived here last night about 11 oclock and went up to some quarters for us and layed down on the floor with another regt got our blanket over us and our knapsacs under our heads we are going to march 8 miles this afternoon and going in to camp. the 10th Maine is encamped about 3 miles from here and the 14th[?] we had some salt Pork and Bread for breakfast--we had a nice time in Baltimore yesterday our little Drummer and I Played the whole Regt all over the citty there is nothing but Niggers in Baltimore tobaco is 15.00[?] Pr pound and Postage Stamps are over three cts are good for nothing and if they are [sent?] they do not all I hope that you are well and I want to have you write to me just as often as you can I cant write anny thing that will interest you they are getting reddy to march so I must close up.
Your son Algernon S.
P.S. direct to me Washington DC Co. C 25th Regt.
Source
Transcribed by Jean F. Hankins in 2011 for the Otisfield Historical Society, with permission of owner Hal Ferguson of Otisfield. Original spelling, uncertain readings, and editorial notes are retained.
Read the original transcription (PDF, starting on page 1).