This letter was written by Warren D. Thomson (1844-1862), the son of William Henry Thomson (1819-1900) and Elizabeth Douglas (1814-1892) of Waukesha, Wisconsin. He was under age when he enlisted in Co. F, 5th Wisconsin Infantry on 10 May 1861. The 5th Wisconsin was organized at Camp Randall in Madison and left for Washington D. C. in July 1861. They arrived in Washington on the 8th of August and were assigned to the brigade of General King, going into camp on Meridian Hill. In September 1861, they relocated to Camp Griffin near Lewinsville, Virginia, where they remained until 10 March 1862.

According to muster records, Warren died of disease on 28 November 1862.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Meridian Hill
Washington D C.
August 13, 1861

My dear Aunt Cate,

I thought you would like to hear from me in Dixie land. I am in camp three miles from the Capitol of the United States. I am very healthy and tough as can be. Camp life agrees with me first rate. I can lie down on the ground anywhere and go to sleep as well as on a feather bed.

We can see camps in every direction. In the encampment where I be, there is 5,000 men and 500 cavalry. We do our own cooking and it is fun to live in camp and do nothing. We are getting awful lazy, I can tell you.

I wish Uncle John had come out to our house the Saturday night before he did come for I was home then. I saw Dan Mc in Washington today and Duncan too. How is McQueen’s [?] folks and the rest of the folks and girls? I got a letter from father yesterday and one from Waukesha.

It is pretty warm here but not as warm as in Wisconsin. It has been as high as 94 degrees. In Waukesha, it was 104 degrees one day. How is grandmother and the rest of the folks? How is the cra___ there?

I have been sick a little since I came here. There is a few sick now.

I enlisted for three years but I think I shall come home sooner than that. We are waiting for cooler weather and then we start for Richmond. The rebels are 12 miles from here. I am going as teamster for the company, I guess. I have spoken for the place and they said I could have it. No more at present. Write as soon as you can. Direct to Warren D. Thomson, Co. Founder, 5th Regt. Wisconsin Volunteers, Washington D. C.

To Aunt Miss Cate Douglas