Letter from Willie to parents, July 27, 1862#

Fort McHenry, Sunday 27th [1862]

Dear Parents,

It is Sunday Morning and I have a pass to go to Baltimore, so before I go I will sit down and write my letter. We received Ma’s & John Durlyn’s letters. From what you say it must be getting hard times in the city; it is just the same in Baltimore. Change is very scarce. The men take advantage of it when they go to Baltimore, for they collect the fare on board the boat and they have no change for bills, so the men get over for nothing. One of the men yesterday went over on the ferry, got shaved, and got his dinner before he got a dollar bill changed.

This place is full of the sick and wounded. I am working in amongst them flooring the tents. They are from all over the Union: some from New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, etc. Gen. Morris has not much feeling for the sick men. They were lying around under the guns and any place there was any room to lie. One night Gen. Wool came in here and gave Morris such a jawing. I was about two yards off to see the fun. Then he went around talking to the men and told them he would see about them. The next day the road was blocked with wagons bringing in tents, beds, bed sheets, and other things. They are now getting very well. Four or five of them have died within two weeks. I was at a funeral last Sunday; it was a very solemn scene. Co.C. fired three volleys over the grave.

We hear that the North is putting on her strength and is going right in to settle this war. I think as soon as Gens. Pope and Halleck have a say on the fight, it will be all over. We had a very nice time last week when Dr Porter was up here. I expect you read his letter in the paper. Everything is going on about the same.

You ought to see us on the Dress Parade in the evening – you would see some drill. We come out with blackened shoes, white gloves, polished buttons, guns, etc. We are all well. We had a ball match on Thursday. There was hard play in it between our Co. and Co.H. I played 2nd base and James played Right Field. I played very well and caught three or four on the fly. Altogether, I put out about 7 or 8 men. The game stood 30 to 30. We expect to have the second match this week. We are so sore we can hardly work. Our Lieutenant played and the Lieutenant and Orderly Sam Mott played on the other side.

I have not heard from Petterner yet, nor James from Frank Allen, Doan, or Biller, but I must stop and get ready for church. Johny Kelly is getting to be the laziest boy in the Reg’t., can’t drum a bit. Bucky Bale is one of the best drummers here. I don’t think you know any of the others.

Yours truly,

Willie

Durlyn is a Bully writer

Don’t play to hard