Camp Douglas August 10, 1862

Transcription of Letter

Aug 10 1862 etc

Well

     Mommy I got your letters this morning. I got into Chicago last Monday morning at six oclock put my down on the muster roll about 8 oclock I staid at the hotel 5 days at Uncle Sams expense then I went up Camp Douglass. My Captain is an A No 1 man a better one could not be found the 1st lieutenant rough go ahead fellow the second lieutenant is a midling good sort of a fellow. There is about 80 men in the Company they are made up of clerks and city men we want about 16 or 17 men to fill up the Company it is in the Board of Trade Regiment we will be in Chicago 7 or 8 week before we go south. I like it first rate to soldier.

I have just eat dinner we had rice bread coffee molases cabbage turnips beans sugar & salt and men buy milk to put in the coffee all of the above things are allowed by the government except the milk which we buy we have got pretty good cook. I will send my likeness to you about Saturday I have not got my bounty yet the capt wants me for his boy to wait on him the pay is the same and then I can live like an officer I think I will it will not be so hard work but I have the chice to help him or be a private but he wants me bad so I guess I will help him. The way I got here was I had a pass sent me from chicago I had the pass 5 days before I started. I will get my uniform tomorrow I will send my likeness in a double case with my runaway suit and my Soldiers suit. There is very little we have to do but eat daytime and sleep nights. My bounty I will get tomorrow or next day but it goes east to Brooklyn eather the money or cheack. We have got our blankets big thick things with black letters in the middle whic are U.S. I will send you some $s I dont how much. Now I want you to write to me as soon as you get this and write often. Tell Ed to write to me. Well I do not cut so much wood as I used to. Bell must write. Tell the girls I am coming up to see them some of these days be and tell ___________ so. I have some money yet to use. I must now conclude give my respects to all the folks and love to the children.

I enjoy myself first rate.

I now remain your soldier boy