Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1863-08-04
LCoHmunicated
Letter from Washington.
WAR DEPARTMENT.. ADIr GENERALS OFFICE,
Washington, July ~, 1865.

/ Nv
Washington, July ~, 1867. )
Mr. CovER:-As it has been long time
since / wrote you I will ask your attention
this evening for a short time, trusting you
viii not look on me in the light Of an in
truder. Knowing your friendship for the
bows Of the Badger State cannot but think
you will grant me admission to your sane
lum for brief period, and in return will
try my best to interest you.
Now as am a soldier, Of course you will
want to know Why / am not with my reg
iment. Excuse my introduction OF self
frst.) Having a severe attack of Typhoid
fever, and being otherwise affected, | was
sent to this City by the Surgeon, a patient
for hospital, where receiving good treat
ment and motherly care by the Sisters Of
Charity, I was soon able to 90 about.
Making application to Mr.. Stanton .or a
situation in this Office he kindly gave it to
me, Il was fortunate enough to go at once
to duty,) in return for which I've tried to
prove myself grateful by discharging my
duty faithfully.
Now I suppose our friends at home can
form no idea Of the invalid soldiers who
are employed in the different departments.
This department alone gives work to 400;
SO you see Uncle Sam does all he can for
his bows who have served him faithfully.
Still, we, Of this office, are not free from
soldering. We have been duly organized,
armed and equipped, forming Companies
A o,J Z, lNacb;no.t,,, Guap1c commend
ed by Captains Barrett and Miller. Being
all old soldiers the boys when on drill make
splendid appearance. Yesterday while
sauntering along the avenue was pleased
and surprised to meet our brave and meri-
torious Adjutant, Robert Monteith, who is
resting and recruiting his health, which has
been very poor for some time, uniting
him for the arduous duties of his office.
| am happy to say, though, he will, to the
qualification of the boys, soon return to his
regiment. The boys all IKE him for he is
a brave, efficient officer, proof Of which he
has shown in many hard battles. Success
90 with him. | also had the honor, to call
on. and converse with, at his rooms, the
venerable and inyincible General Sol. Mer-
edith, commanding our brave Badger Boys
termed the Iron Brigade. Well have they
earned their reputation. | am glad to say
the General is recovering from injuries re-
ceived at the severe battle Of Gettysburg
and will soon again lead the boys to glory.
Washington news items, there is none
worthy of note.
The.New York riot seems to ei.gross the
people here; is the principal topic of con-
versation, with many and yariously express
ed opinions. OF course every loyal person
was pleased on reeeiying intelligence Of tae
success attending our arms at Vicksburg
and Port Hudson. Yet, twas no great
event to loyalsts because they looked on
Grant and Banks in the light Of conquer
ors long ago. Still, there was the booming
of cannon and futtering Of our beautiful
starry banner from private as well as public
buildings, deEotipg that here the silent re-
spect and veneration for that emblem so
dearly bought by our forefathers was not
entirely crushed by traitors.
Life here, just at this season, is quite gay
business brisk--the different avenues and
principal streets present hustle and con-
fusion which it would puzzle stranger to
know the meaning Of. Still, for all tire
rush and hurry none can deny that Wash
ington, in summer, is beautiful. Her ma
ny parks so beautifully arranged, with such
an eye to comfort, cannot but call forth ex-
CARNATIONS Of delight; and then how pleas
ant, how refreshing, to steal at twilight
hour to these cool, shady resorts, the even
ing air vibrating with soft, sweet sounds OF
music discoursed by tile Marine and 9th
infantry Bands; occasionally peal Of er-
ry laughter is borne to the ear from merry,
beautiful, gaily bedecked ladies, promonad-
ing, forgetful of all save themselves, dear
creatures. Not that I am POLITICALLY inclined
or enthusiastic do | write thus; no, think
in justice to her, Washington with her sur
roundings is, in summer, beautiful spot
It's enough while thus occupied to make
us poor soldiers forget there's war; that
we're here to fight for AL these beauties.
Yet, as we hear the measured tread Of our
brothers, and the strains of martial music
our pulses beat quicker; we awake to the
stern reality Of life; Oar pleasant dreams
all fade as pictures ofhomes made Gesolate
rise to our view.
As there is a number Of Wisconsin boys
here employed few copies Of the Herald
would be eagerly and thankfully received.
Yours Respectfully
Company H, Hungry 18th Wis. Vol.