Washing day. All who are not
on duty were let out to go in the stream below the mill and wash. We took off
our clothes and rubbed and scrubbed them, until one color, instead of several,
prevailed, and then we sat around and waited for them to dry in the sun. From
the looks of the wash-water, the clothes should look better than they do. They
fitted rather snug when we got into them, but we will soon stretch them out
again.
Night. A letter from father!
So far as I know, he never wrote a letter before. I do not remember that I ever
saw his handwriting until now. I expected to hear from him through others, but
of getting a letter direct from him, I never even thought. Another was from my
sister, Mrs. Loucks. They are all well, getting along first-rate without me. I
guess I was not of so much account as I thought. However, I am delighted to
hear about them. Captain Bostwick returned this P. M. and has told me all the
home news. I almost feel as if I had been home, he told me so much about every
thing I wanted to know, and best of all brought me father's letter. I will
answer that letter right off, now, and then go to bed, where many of the
company already are.
SOURCE: Lawrence Van
Alstyne, Diary of an Enlisted Man, p.
25
No comments:
Post a Comment