Elisha Marion Handby Letter#1

[1st letter written on stationery with the letterhead “U.S. Christian Commission]

May the 25th 1865
Camp. 53 Reg. Ind. vol. Infantry. company F
Dearest Parents,
after so long a time I seat myself this rainy morning to inform you of my whereabouts.  we 
arrived here in this camp the day before yesterday   it is about .5 miles from Washington north.
 They had a grand review in washington   Sherman whole army that is all that had arms; I had a 
gun give me by a fellow that wasn’t very well so I got to see it all, and I yearned [sic] it too
for I never was so tired in my life as I was that night.  I got to see a great many sights 
though.  I seen the capital it is a splendid building it is made of marble stones nice front to 
it    I seen where the white house ought to be but the crowd was so immense that a person could 
hardly see nothing it was like old saying we could see crowd for so many people nor the town for
so many houses.  but i lived through it and am in fine spirits at present and hope I shall 
remain so until I have the pleasure of meeting you again.  When that is I’m not disposed to tell
at present, but I hope it may not be many long months yet.  there is and order isued to 
discharge all sixty-two men and I hope after they have been dischaged that they will isue an
order to discharg all sixty five    also I can’t see what they want with us now, there is no 
enemy to contend with and nothing for us to do here, but I don’t care much as long as I can get
something to eat and hear from the loved ones at home once in a while   as far as chewing 
tobacco is concerned I have to beg it but I would like to have a little money to buy a few 
postage stamps for the last one I have carries this little missive home to the loved ones that
are longing for a few lines from their drafted Son
   I blelieve [sic] I’ll bring my letter to a close hoping to hear from you soon.  Give my love
to all.  Write imediately if not sooner.
       From E. M. Hanby                   your obedient Servant or your beloved Son
       To: Wm. C. & Hannah A. Hanby
      Direct your letters to Company F 53rd Regt. Ind. Vol. Inf. 1st Brig. 4th divs. 17th 
A[?].C.  (write soon)
P.S.  Be careful of this little piece of silver that you will find wraped up in a piece of 
newspaper, for I found it here on this camp ground last evening     no more at present”