My own darling Addie,
Here I am feeling just like writing in a
fine hand and who should I write to but the one I love?
I have to acknowledge the receipt of a charming letter from
you also a note from Miss Dora (I am going to answer
this P.M.) There isn't this a fine hand? Well, if you
can easily read it, it is all I care. How do you do
this afternoon? I suppose you are enjoying a good
vacation.--You should improve it, and get all
the rest you can. You know a vacation is very
good thing, for scholars and teacher, especially when
the term is so long as yours. We have just had
such a refreshing shower. A "regular built"
Virginia thunderstorm, such as we had at Ma-
nassas, only it came up much more rapidly. I
think I never saw a shower advance quite so rapidly.
Addie, I am going to tell you how we live. We
will suppose we are taking an aerial ride. Look down and
you see a portion of the green earth apparently covered with curiously
arranged sheets. These are tents--veritable tents, in which
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soldiers "live, move, and ave their being." We will descend
and visit the Co. H. The tents are arranged in two rows, at
right angles with, and in front of the line of officers. the
space intervening, we call "the street." Ours, is "National Ave."
This diagram we will suppose, represents C. H. [tiny sketch here]
The large square is Lt. Brisbine's tent. The one near it is the Sergts.
My tent is "No 3." As I stand before it, the top of the tent does
not come quite up to my shoulder. If you look in--a modern
lady could hardly enter--you will see my parlor, study, kitchen
(all except the fire, )_ pantry and bedroom. Upon one side you see
a couple of new rifles--on the ground, of course, and the accoutrements
--in the center you will see two large woolen, and two rubber
blankets--on the other side you see two tin cups-- tin plates, do.--
"Coffee-buckets," do. (made of fruit cans.) two knives; one fork; two
spoons; a half of a canteen doing duty as frying pan; two canteens;
4 loaves of bread; bag of coffee; can of sugar; a can of
stewed blackberries, all my gathering, and stewing,--and they
are delicious, too; and two haversacks;--while in the back end
are two knapsacks; my portfolio; my books, etc. Now dont you
admire "my house?" Well now I am going to give you one or
two cooking recipes, such as we use. 1st Fried Bread--
Take of bread, 1/2 lb. 4 tablespoonsfulls of "pork fat," and 1 1/2 pint of
water. Put it into a mess pan, crumbing up the bread, and
[page 3]
cook it until it is done. Season with salt and peppers.
2d "Fried Crackers." Take as much hard bread as you think you
can eat, and cook it until soft, then fry in lard the same
as "fried cakes," or "doughnuts." 3d To make coffee for one--
take 1 1/2 pint water and put int he coffee while cold, then bring
it to a steady boil until the "strength" is "all out" 4th To
make fine blackberry
add sufficient water and stew them, taken care that you
stew them in you "coffee bucket." The above are a few of
our best recipes. I forgot to tell you that upon one side of
my tent I have a cellar, where I keep my culinary stores etc.
We come forth at "Reveille," and retire at "taps," and
have a good time generally. If it were not for the "style"
the commissioned officers assume, all would be "merry as a
marriage bell." Early in the morning we are saluted with
"Baltimore Clipper" Baltimore American & like [?] and
later in the day, a man comes into the camp with "Here
we come, with the great war paper, more than full of
news all on our side.--The great and ever blessed Philadelphia
Inquirer, with the latest news of Mac's movements. All about
Pope's great speech to us young folks."--Then it is fun for
the boys The change he puts into his mouth and says he can
not talk plainly until he has $3.25 "Then he can sell or be sold."
[page 4]
But amid the gay throng many a true heart feels that it
could be much more happy if it could have a visit home
but like soldiers, they remain at their posts, a little sad, but true to duty.
The officers give us no hope whatever of receiving leaves of absence
as they say every soldier is needed in the field. Gladly would I
come home to my "fayre ladye," but we must not murmur,
I am situated the same as thousands of others, and in common
with them I am cheerful, knowing there "is a good time coming."
Where us sister Laurie? I have not received one line
from her for six weeks and more, yet I have written three
times to her. Is she not at home?
I wrote to your Papa some days since, I suppose he has
told you of it ere this. I am anxiously awaiting a reply.
Mr. Benton, I guess has forgotten me, he has not yet answered
my
You ask what I think of Fremont. I think his suprosedure
was a direct and unprovoked insult instigated by his numerous
enemies, most likely the Blairs, and I honor him in the
course he has followed. It is in fact an outrage upon him.
Mr. Richardson a "lady killer," indeed. I guess he would
kill ladies, by his insulting manner. He failed in our
Case, didn't he? God bless you my noble generous Addie.
But I must close for the present, and will write again in
a day or two. My love to all, especially to Adelaide.
Forever your Charlie
P.S. I have received two letters from Hal. He is in Cumberland
and is Provost marshal. The people down there say he is the best
one they ever had. In fact he is good anywhere.
Please ask Laurie if she has not received my letters. Write very
soon, and accept a -------well, guess what I would give you if I
was there.
MSS 11616
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