Annapolis, Maryland
Dear Father:
It is now a quarter past three Sunday afternoon, and if you were here you might see me seated on a camp stool with the Captain's writing desk in my lap commencing to write home. Meeting is just over, and I have a little more than an hour before Dress Parade.
I received Mother's letter last night and was very glad to hear from Home, Sweet Home. When I wrote you before I believe I had just arrived at Baltimore, I will begin there and give you an account of the time since.
Saturday night the men slept in an unoccupied warehouse on the wharf while we Officers had staterooms on the boat. Sunday morning we sailed down the Chesapeake for Annapolis. While in Baltimore, I got no time to look around at all. In fact, I hardly left the boat. The boat was but a short distance from Federal Hill where Duryea's Zouaves have thrown up a formidable looking earthwork mounting a large number of guns and completely commanding the city. Besides this there are entrenchments thrown up on the hill we pass just before entering the city, called Patterson's Park after that old traitor or coward, I do not know which.
As we sailed down the river, the Zouaves on Federal Hill cheered us heartily. They looked strange standing on the ramparts with their red breeches and short jackets. They are said to be one of the best regiments in the service. We passed Fort McHenry while they were going through their morning inspection. The 3rd New York are posted there. Down a few miles further is Fort Carroll which is not yet finished. After passing that there's nothing of much interest to be seen till we reached Annapolis.
The Captain has just sent for his writing desk, so I perforce have to content myself with a book. During our journey thither, Corporal Cook stuck a bayonet in his ankle (it is well now).
We landed and marched at once to the Naval Academy where we stopped over night. Annapolis is a kind of an antiquated looking place. I do not believe there is a building there that has not stood for twenty-five years. There are, I believe, some three or four thousand inhabitants here, a large proportion of which are colored. The Naval Academy here, or rather what was the Naval Academy, is quite an institution.
As it is time for Dress Parade, I must bid you good-bye for a short time.
After Supper.
I will now resume my letter. Within the grounds of the Naval Academy are several hospital buildings where there are some five hundred sick and wounded soldiers from here and Washington. There is also a splendid monument to Decatur there. The 21st Massachusetts regiment is stationed there.
Monday morning we came up here to camp about one and a half miles from the city. We pitched our tents here and have had our regular drills with some additions ever since.
We found the 51st New York here and the 8th and 10th Connecticut; and the 27th Massachusetts have arrived since. The 23rd is daily expected. Fifteen thousand men, I believe are to be concentrated here under General Burnside. When they arrive, we are to sail in a naval expedition; we think to reinforce the other that has gone before us.
I have visited the camps of the other regiments here and ours is ahead of any of them in officers, men and drill. I would not be afraid to put my military knowledge against that of some of the Captains I have seen. I have been the Officer of the Guard once since I have been here, and once commanded the company at Battalion drill. Had no trouble.
While we were out news came that we had got to detail a company for picket duty. We drew lots to see who would go and it fell upon the Templeton company.
I found two acquaintances in the 27th regiment: Arthur Johnson, who has got to be the fifth sergeant in Company C; and Joe Lawton of Ward, who is the Orderly Sergeant of Company I. They are both doing well and are well contented.
To-day I went to church in Annapolis in company with Lieutenant Emery. We traveled down there through the mud (by the way, you don't know what mud is in Massachusetts) and attended the Episcopal Church, a very pretty building inside, but unfinished outside. The architect arranged the arches inside so that they broke the sound of the speaker's voice, so that we on the side seats were unable to understand what he said. The ladies were all dressed splendidly; the men not so well as an average of the men at home.
There are some of the greatest specimens of negroes here that I have ever seen. The Ethiopian concert singers don't begin with some of those that peddle 'union' pies and cakes, and 'bully' oysters in our camp. They are very polite to us soldiers, saluting us at every turn. Did you ever hear of persimmons? We have some very good ones here that some of our boys got in the woods.
Mother wrote me that if there was anything I wanted to send for it. I have seen nothing of my coat and pants yet. What is the reason that they have not been sent? If you can send me a nice pair of leather gloves lined with (word missing) they would be very acceptable. Also the Evolutions of the Line and McClellan's bayonet exercise. I am going to get a pair of foils and get Lieutenant Richter to learn me to fence.
You can show this letter to those who wish to hear from me, for I have not much time to write. Give my love to all. Remember me to the children.
Yours truly,
W.F. Draper
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