Year: 1865

of the fifth heavy. Well, since I last
wrote you we have had stirring times
Our victorious armies are driving tho
rebels into their last ditch, where hope
they will be covered up in oblivion, and
only remembered as a thing of the past,
and like the traitor Arnold, only with con-
tempt This rebellion has been a big
thing, but, like the river in food, it is
gowing down, and methinks the end
draweth nigh, as our gallant armies are
slowly but surely bringing it to successful
termination and with the fall of Rich
mond and the capture Of Lees army, this
war must speedily come to close, and
our brave boys, who have endured all tho
hardships and horrors of war, once more
get home to their families and friends.
But, alas how many brave men are there
who have sacrificed their lives on the altar
of their country, and now fill soldiers
grave in an enemies country. But their
memories shall live in the memories of
grateful nation for their devotion and self
sacrifice Of every thing that was dear to
themselves, their lives, TO sustain one of
the best governments the world ever pro-
duced, and which can never be blotted
out, as the honorable and lamented Ellis
worth said in an address to his men, when
they were about leaving their happy Wes-
tern homes to fight the battles Of the ma
ton. But like many others, he fell by
the hand of the nations enemy, (Jack-
son, but like thousands of other brave
boys, his memory and deeds will live in
the peoples memories while they live, and
generations to come.


We had big time out here in honor
of the capture of the rebel capitol. 10
Washington we had number of speeches,
flags flying, and bands discoursing the
popular airs Of the day A soldier could
not pass saloon, but the ladies', God
bless them, would vie with each other in
their kindness to us in having us eat and
drink all we wanted free, as everybody
was so rejoiced to think the rebellion was
about over. The streets were one con-
tinual jam. The city was swarming with
citizens and soldiers. Old men, who had
not been out for months, were out, and all
the cry was glorious. Hurrah for Grant,
Sherman and Sheridan. Cheer after
cheer we're given for them, and groans for
the Confederacy and Davis. The people
treated the soldiers with marked respect.
Every house was thrown open for their
reception and every delicacy cf the season
spread before them with lavish hand,
and Americas fair daughters pressed us
continually to eat plenty in honor of our
grea: success, and the certain down
| fall of the rebellion. All honor to the
ladies of our capitol. May they all live
to see the end of this wicked rebellion, is
the good wishes of all the brave boys now
in arms. The excitement was great all
day. and in the evening there was grand
display of fire works. ;. The continual
booming of cannon and the cheering Of
the people will ever be remembered by
those who witnessed it. There was con-
tinual roar from ten o'clock until near
four, and in the evening the sky was all
ablaze with FIRE works. 1t was splendid
spectacle for those who witnessed it, but
greater will be the rejoicings when this
war will be brought to close, and peace
once more spreads her wings and returns
to our nation May we never be troubled
with war again, is the wishes of every
true and loyal man and may traitors and
Southern sympathisers at home live cnly
as things of the past, in the minds of the
people, and treated accordingly, both at
the ballot box and in civil live.


Our regiment was paid short time
ago, and are in good spirits. We we're
over to Flint Hill on grand review. There
we're four regiments on review, and all
looked fine, but the 9Th got the praise for
neatness and discipline. Our Colonel was
well pleased with our appearance, not
having seen the regiment together since
we left Fort Reno, last fall. The men
are we'll pleased with the Colonel, and if
he wants to raise another regiment after
our time is out, he can get nearly all to
enlist again. In fact all our officers are
kind aud obliging to the men, while off
duty, but on duty, they do not notice any
one. That, you are aware, is military.


We have fine times now, the weather
is fine, the fr@is trees are out in full bloom,
grass il coming up, reminding US that
spring has come and stern winter gone.
don't care where we are, We are busy
at work 90 our defences. We are going
to sod our breast-works, which will not be