1862 September 27 Alexandria, Va.

Alexandria Saturday Sept 27
     Dear Phebe
I am on guard
to-day and having a little time
to spare think will write
you a line.  I am the most at
liberty this afternoon that I have
been since I have been here
and as I am well and in good
spirits I feel pretty comfortable
Our late victories have put us
in the best possible humor
and every thing goes on wheels
Just know the spirits of the
rebels are correspondingly low
and their faces here lengthened
a good deal in the last fort
night.  The iron has entered
their souls this time and their
is mourning in their houses
a citizen of Alexandria to[sic] me
that out of  600 who went into
the late battles from this place

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only 17 are known to be alive
truly the first born of every house
is taken and these were not
the poor, but the richest. The
royal householders: It is sad to
think of but they would have it
so: There is now no shouting for
Jeff Davis, nor abuse of yankees
heard in the streets.  The rebels
have enough to do to console
one another without insulting
us with speech or song: They
had decorated their houses
and prepared delicacies with
which to treat Jacksons army
when it should arrive: and told
us they would have things their
own way in a few days.  Now
in silence and in tears they
remove the costly viands and
festoons: the beautiful wreath
and the carefully prepared boquet
and bring forth the sable

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garb of mourning; and instead of
welcoming their friends to the
banquet they meet in sorrow
only to mourn:

[Letter of Josiah Perry, of Co. K, 33rd Massachusetts, will continue on the 28th]

MSS 2215