Camp Seward Oct 19^th 1862

Arlington Heights 8 miles from Washington

[letterhead color drawing and poem “THE GIRL I LEFT BEHIND ME”

Regiment went to Washington for review without him because he was taken very sick with an unknown sickness, burning up then freezing, “this morning I have a pair of lips on me big as any nigger you ever saw I guess that I have got poisend [sic] with some of the [bushes?] around here I can hardly eat or speak good”. Wanted to go to Washington because it would be a great sight with 6 or 7 regiments on review by “Gen Casey and another great general”. Rumors about their Colonel being made a Brigadier General “I hope it is so I for one should like to get rid of him I tell you honestly he is one of the most unfeeling men I ever saw last night he orderded [sic] wesley Dimbley off of the ground and just so with every man that comes on the ground wess felt so bad that he almost cried he says he never knew or heard of such doings in all his millatary [sic] life…] Peter wishes he was home again “no money could hire me to leave it”. Tells of hardships. “Tell Julia the soldiers cannot get any intoxicating drink here of any kind. Send letters care of Capt Cone. Have orders to march on Harpers Ferry tomorrow. Let him know when gets the 33 dollars from Capt Cone’s father.