Once again on the sacred soil
after a pleasant trip to Philada--I left Philada
at 3.30 a.m. the day after I saw you arrived at
Wilmington & loafed about the depot till day-
light, then went up to see my friends--left
Wilmington 9 1/2 a.m. was delayed about
2 hours in Baltimore & finally arrived in
Washington about 6 1/2 P. M--about an hour
& a half to late for the last Alexandria Boat
so we had to foot it ( I say we as I had picke
ed up a companion on the road--a chap who belonged
to our Rdgiment) --we footed it through mud
& water sometimes almost sticking fast--we had
a tremendous time trying to find the long bridge
& when we did find it--we almost stayed there
it being almost knee deep with mud & every step
seemed to get us in more deeply,---we however after
a great deal tugging twisting & tumbling, it being so
dark that we could scarcely see, & part of the time
raining arrived at Alexandria just in time to
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be challenged by a sentry at our own doors, it
having just struck 10 o'clock the time we
here issue the countersign--quite a tramp wasn't
it? As soon as I got into the door I heard
bad news, our 2nd Lieutenent had been
accidently shot--a party of them were out on
a whiskey search--& Louis's revolver accidently
went off--the ball taking effect in the 2nd lieut.
neck--being very effectually shot in the neck--
the would as good luck would have it was
only slight--so much so that he was at a fire
that we had here 4 nights after being shot--
he is now home on a furlough & tell Louis he
did not shoot well enough for my 2nd Lieutenentcy
& to take better aim next time--
Since coming >u>home we have moved & as usual
we must do it on Saturday--we moved to our
present quarters in Cameron St above Fairfax
a large 4 story house with plenty of room--we
the Sergeants occupy the 3rd Story front, it is
a good wide room--we have bunks 3 stories
high--I live in one of the upper ones, one of my
comrades has it--that I carry a day's rations
with me, when I go to be--fearing I may get
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hungry on the road--I pleas guilty to the
first part of the charge, because before bed time
I can generally stow away at least a days rations
but a great deal oftener more than that we
generally amuse ourselves in the evening in fencing
& by this time our swords are pretty well battered
they not being of the very best Damascus--going
out to see the girls here-of an evening is no go--for
all the time that we have been here, I have not
yet had the good fortune to get acquainted
with any girl
-theless so--however there is one consolation &
that is, that there is a good time coming--as
an evidence of this I have just heard good news
I heard that Genl. Montgomery was going home
& that Colonel McLean was to be appointed
Brigadier in his place, which would be a
great blessing to the Regiment--I have however
some doubs of the truth of the report, as the news
is almost to good to be true--however live in hope--
You have no doubt seen the notice in the Inquirer
one day last week--of quarter Master Jones
discovering a large quantity of prloperty belonging
to a brother of Senator Yulee of Forida, it
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gives the credit to the wrong man--as Jones
had nothing to do with the discovery of the
Property--it was discovered by a party of us
headed by Louis some 4 or 5 weeks since
but we kept dark but finally let Jones in, &
got an order from the Colonel to seize the property
which we did most effectually, ransacking
everything & taking what we thought proper. I
fhad the good fortune to get among some of the silver
ware & made a good haul--if the act now before
Congress to confiscate Secessionist's property passes--
we'll have some lively times here--as the town is
full of Secesh--speaking of Congress reminds me
that I am going up to Washington to-morrow
& will probably see both houses in session, & also
make a tour of the town--
What's the news in Phila dint, how thick is the ice?
Everything is very dull here, weather almost
hot enough to roast.
We are all in good health & spirits--
Give my respects to the office folks & all my friends--
Yours truly
Geo. E. Wagner
George Emil Wagner, 1842-1904, of Philadelphia County Pa., began the war as an orderly sergeant with the 88th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry and rose to be Lieut. Colonel of the 9th United States Colored Troops. He was later the keynote speaker at the dedication of the 88th Pennsylvania's Gettysburg monument in 1889.
MSS 11174
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