Franklin County: Samuel M. Potter to Cynthia Potter,
December 3, 1862
Summary:
Potter describes his camp near Washington, D.C. and tells his wife about his trip
through the city with a doctor, where he saw the White House and the Georgetown
College Hospital. His letter includes a postscript addressed to his sister Mary
with individual messages to each of his children.
Dec3 1862
Camp Casey Near Washington D.C.
My Dear Wife
Our boys came from Harrisburg yesterday bringing your last letter with them & it made me feel sorry that Bell was sick but I hope she will get better soon & be running around singing & playing with Josey & Lucy making you fell more cheerful. The box has never come yet with Polly Harvey's mince pies. Tell Polly I am sorry she could not get her pies sent, that her kindness will compensate for their loss. Our camp here is very pleasant & we are getting along very comfortable. The Doctor took me with him to the city on Monday. We passed through it seeing the White House and a great many other things that paid for the trip. We went over to the Georgetown College Hospital where there are about 500 sick & wounded soldiers. This was a Catholic College & I saw a number of the priests in their long black robes with white crosses hanging from their belts. They were going about with books in their hands reading to the boys. We took dinner then with the Doctors of the Hospital & visited some of the patients. It was the cleanest & airyest place for the sick I have seen yet. We did not cross the Potomac river but we met a brigade of New Jersey infantry that had & I tell you the soldiers were sweating with their heavy knapsacks, muskets & cartridge boxes. Washington City appears to be full of Government wagons. We met them & passed them at every street by hundreds. There were not very many soldiers around but on every hill there was a camp. Congress is in session now & I wish to go if I can & see the August body. You speak about Miller & Gunn being at home & why may not I be there as well as them. Well I could if I would only run the risk. They only get 24 hours leave of absence & then stay a week or two & no person in the company bothers about reporting them to the Colonel. But my situation is quite different & if I were to go it would cost me my position. It is for your sake that I wish to hold it, so that I can do more for you & the children. Still I will try all I can to get home. We have some sick to see evey day. I have had my bounty 27 dollars & spent part of it. The balance of it I wish to keep to go home on. In the last letter I wrote you I gave you the wrong directions for sending you letters. Send
S.M. Potter
16Pa. Cavalry
Camp Casey
Washington D.C.
Be sure to put the number of the regiment on the letter and send it to Washington City & they will send it after the regiment.
I will close my letter here by sending my love to you alike my best wishes to Polly Harvey, Mrs. Roney, & the rest of the neighbors.
Your affectionate husband
S. M. Potter
I dont think of anything else to write. I dreamed of
being at home with you last night & had a good talk with you.
Sister Mary
Cynthia said you were spinning. You did not write any in
her last letter & I dont think I answered
your last. Since I commenced writing this the Doctor has gone to town, the
nurses are out & I am in here by myself with the sick &
cannot have much time to write without being interupted. Mary you are very kind to mine & I wish you
may be rewarded for your kindness. Josey I am glad that you are at the head
of your class. That is the way my boy dont be
behind. & Lucy carries chips & goes to
town on errands like a good girl. Poor Bell is sick. Pa would nurse you in
his arms Bell if he was at home & Show you the pictures in your new
book. Lucy you will help Ma & Aunt Mary wont you.
