This letter was begin by Charles D. Barrett (1828-1896) and finished by Samuel Franklyn (“Frank”) Parcher and Edward M. Gammon; Frank doing the writing of the latter two. All three were members of the 5th Maine Infantry. Charles began his service as a private in Co. H but later transferred to the band, joining Frank and Ed who mustered in as principal musicians. The 5th Maine Infantry was formed in Portland, Maine, and were mustered into the service on 24 June 1861 and encamped on Meridian Hill north of Washington City in July. They moved their camp to Alexandria, Virginia, just prior to the Battle of Bull Run. At that time, they were attached to Howard’s Brigade, Heintzelman’s Division. After the battle, they set up camp near Fort Ellsworth in Alexandria.

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

Sunday, July 7, 1861

Friend Phineas,

I am now on my knees by the Band tent writing on the bare drum head. I have just returned from the dight of a military funeral—one of te New York soldiers. It is a very warm day but we have got a cool breeze in the shade. The German New York 5th went by here about a half hour ago. They are a hard set of soldiers, you better believe. They are going down into Virginia. ¹ There has been 15 regiments left here. When I say here, I mean close by. It is a city of soldiers and you would not miss them any more than you would miss a tree from the forest.

Speaking of trees, we have nice ones here—wide spreading oaks. The band tent is situated under one of these. Frank Parcher and Ed Gammon has just returned from Battery. There was a lot more of the Band went with them. The most of the company that I belong to have gone. I could have gone if I chose but I thought I would rather sleep. Therefore I got my rubber blanket and spread it under one of the trees and took a nap. I am awful tired. I have been on guard 12 hours, 4 hours on and 4 off. We go by companies.

I marched more than 40 miles yesterday on my beat & target shooting, We went in bathing yesterday after the target shooting. Where we went on the target shoot is the most lovely valley I ever saw—high hills round and a river running through the valley. We fired across the river. I hit the target two out of three times. The other shot—we fired by companies, therefore, I could not tell whether I hit or not.

Old Abe Lincoln rode by here about two o’clock this afternoon. ² It is now half past 3. I would like to have you out here first rate. I know you would enjoy yourself first rate. I would not tell you so if I did not think what I say. The Band plated for us the other night. When they struck up Sweet Home, my thought winged their flight back to Old Portland. But they were soon forgotten amid the hum and noise of the camps.

I have just stopped to see a balloon which came over our encampment. The Boys are speculating about it whether there is a man in it or not. For myself, I think there is not. One of the fellows in the New York Regiment fired at it but it was so high that a musket ball could not reach it. Frank is seated under the tree reading a letter from Portland—grinning. It must be something good. I wish I could have one. We prize letters above gold out here. No one can tell until they have been situated in the same position.

One of Ellworth’s Zouaves was shot and killed down in the city yesterday. The Boys went down and tore down the house where he was killed. They burned a house last 4th [of July] a little way from our encampment. The house was called The Union House. The Boys stand no imposition on them by outsiders. they obey what the officers say, but have their own way on outsides.

I want you to write often. Write all the particulars—how the craft is, &c. Who Sand has got to work for him. Send me the Portland [Daily] Advertiser once in a while or every week if you can. I will send you the Washington papers. There is another regiment just going by, The Maine 4th have just received their new instruments. They are practicing [?] on them. I hardly go to the fence to see the regiments that pass this way there is so many. We are on 14th Street on a farm called Pleasant Hill Farm. It is mightily named. It is a splendid place. ³

I have not been sick a minute since I left Portland. There is any quantity of the 1st Regiment Boys came over to see us. I could think of enough to write to cover the earth but short letters are all the go here. We write short and often and I must keep in the fashion. Therefore, I will close wishing you good health and a long life. From your friend, — Charley B.

Give my love to Abby [ ], your wife, and all the rest of mankind. Tell Seth B. Libby to write to me and I will write to him. Ed Gammon is going to write a line. Let Sandbor & Charley see this and the girls if you want to.

Friend Phin,

We are enjoying ourselves hugely here. We (that is, Meyor [?] and myself) have just returned from a walk in a beautiful brook a short distance from here. Barrett says it is a most romantic place. If you were here, you would never want to go back. Our duties are very easy and we lay in the shade the most of the time. I tell you, Phin, that you would enjoy yourself. There was a German Regiment went by here today that you would have like to see. One of the hardest and toughest regiments you ever saw. Sunburnt and browned, every man looked as though he was good for ten rebels. As they went by on their way to Virginia, they struck up a good old German song. That’s what makes the spirits rise! The 4th Maine will probably leave in a few days. Yours, — Ed [Gammon] & Frank [Parcher]

¹ The 5th New York State Militia (also known as the Jefferson Guard) was composed almost entirely of German citizens from New York City. They broke camp on 7 July 1861 to join the forces mustering in Virginia under Gen. Robert Patterson.

² Lincoln and Sec. Seward spend two hours at Navy Yard. Extracts from Dahlgren Diary, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC. [Source: Lincoln Log]

³ In 1861, “Pleasant Hill” was a prominent country estate and farm owned by the Holtzclaw family, situated along the 14th Street corridor in Washington City. As the Civil War began, this rural expanse was transformed by the Union Army into a fortified military position critical for the capital’s defense.