Washington City Dec 8th 1862
Dear Kate,
Yours of the 2nd came to hand this pm and glad was I to hear that you were all well and all the rest of the folks in Otsego. I am glad that you are haveing so good a visit out there this fall and hope you will continue to enjoy yourself untill you get home again. You wrote some time ago about sending some things in a box to me. You can do as you think best about it. If they want to send a box and you can pay the freight on it there, and have money enough to carry you home left, you can do it. The box will have to be paid for before it can be sent, as they will not take anything and bring it to a soldier with out it's paid in advance and I cannot send you any money untill I draw some more pay, as mine is all gone. It's a hard place to keep money in this city. I have spent the most of mine for apples and newspapers and now I do not get much of eather, but perhaps it will be better times before long.
You spoke about it's being cold and stormy up there. Day before yesterday it snowed here all day. First it rained, then it snowed hard all the afternoon. It's not all gone yet. The people here say it was colder here last night and yesterday than it has been for some years before.
I should like to be up there this winter and have some rides after Major this winter but you see how it is, and we will make the best of it.
I get a letter from home once in three or four weeks. They do not hurry much about writing when they get a letter from me, but as you say they can do as they have a mind to. Mary writes me some times and I get a letter from Libbie once in the while. She is very anxious to have you come home as she wants to see you and the babies. I don't know as I blame her any for I should.
As for Jerome and Cynthia, I supose they will not make any babies. You do not supose they will do any such thing as that. They are to nice for that, they are.
I am very glad you have got you a new bonett. I wish it was so that I could send you a new dress this fall but I cannot now. Perhaps it will all come out right in the end.
I have been over to the Capital to day. Went into the lower house and heard them make some speeches and take some votes. They are a smart looking set of men and I hope they will do something for their country this winter. It seams as though they ought to and I think they will. I write to you or Laura three or four times a week. You can give my love to all our friends but do not forget yourself and the children. Kiss them every day for me and tell them who it from and tell them to be good boys.
As ever,
Your Husband
Bert
[along the margin]
John does not drink enough to hurt him. He takes a drink sometimes but will not get enough so you would know he had seen any. He does well I think.
Website Maintained by August J. Marchetti III
Copyright © 2002
