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Regiment: 8th Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, Thaddeus S. C. Lowe, Winfield Scott
Washington, Mariadain Hill Oct 13/61
Co. B. 8
th Regt Mich Inft
Mr John N McDougall Dear
Sir We have moved to the seat of
war we started the 27
th Sept from
Fort Wayne Detroit on the steam boat
to Cleveland & the cars from there to
Pits burg & the cars from there to
Harrisburg & ther to Baltimore &
then to Washington I have seen
more since I left home then I
[ ? ]
did in my life before I believe
there is thousands of soldier encamped
around us here of all kinds Infantry
Calvery, & Artilery Regt
marched down to the United States Arsinal
to day and back and got our guns I
seen the united states capitol and
the white house But I hav not
seen the President yet but I
am in hopes that I will we went
clean through the city to the arsinal
on the shore of the Potomac the Prisin
there is full of southern Prisoners
I seen amence piles of canon there
I seen one that wagigh 8,8,48. lbs
and from that down of all kinds
I seen some canon there that Generl
Scot took at verecruse and some
out the war of 1812 and some at
the Revolution we can see Virginia and
a freat meny of soldier encampments
acrost the Potomac River. We seen Lowes
Balloon go up in Virginia last night
a viewing the South army
the Rebels is backing up on Manassas
and our troops in advancing on them
we are drilling every day as fast as posib
a soldier life agrees with me very well
so far. I dont believe the rebbles
[ ? ]
will try to take washington it is
to strongly fortified now. Now I
will have to draw my lettr to a close for
we are a going to Diling in a few
minutes. Plase tell me how your
motherMrs Mc Vean is a giting along
I would like to see her first rate
and all the rest of the folks there
we sleep on the ground here in our
tents on our India Ruber Blankets
we have good clothing here and plenty to
Eat. It is very hot here not it
is as hot here now as it is there in
[ ? ] time no more at presant
From John C Black Write soon
Direct as follows
To John C. Black
Co. B. 8th Regt.
Mich Inft
Washington
D.C.
I sent you my likeness in my last letter
when you write let me know if you got
it or not it wasent taken very good
you see, I is an awfful worry
looking place around here you better believe
From Mr. John C. Black
To John N McDougall
of York Livingston Co
[ ? ]
John I have got as good a
piece of land and home as there
is in the state of Michigan
myself and my Brother have
worked at cooping two winters
on my place and made good deal
of money at making
[ ? ] buckets
and tubs. John I shant so
Bushful now as I was when
I worked for you. I
going to send some of Jef Davis
hair if I can git it.
