File:Letter, 30 September 1862, page 1 of 4.jpg

English: "I went aboard the Memphis. She is a beautiful steamer. She has 3 engines one for hoisting sails another for hauling in anchor cable the 3rd for propelling her screw. She has 2 masts and her saloon is fitted up like a parlor. In the yard there is all branches of mechanic carried on one building (iron) is used for making oakrum. This is made of old rigging cut up in pieces 6 or 8 inches in length then untwisted and thrown into a machine made like a threading machine where it is torn into shreds and comes out as you see it at the boat-yard.

Brooklyn Sept 30th 1862

Dear Sisters & Brother (read the pencil writing first) I received your letter through William. I was glad to hear that you are all well. I am as well as ever and much better contented than I thought I should be before I came away. In all probability we will not go on the Colorado. George Grant is going on her if [illegible] had been here we could all have gone on her. I did not get the letter you sent by Mr. Seymour until Friday. If you had sent it by mail I could have seen him twice before I did. I had to get special liberty of the Major to go over on Friday afternoon. I went to the Girard near the foot of Chamber St and waited for him nearly 2 hours. About half past six he came. He was very much surprised to see me he said I looked a great deal better than he expected to see me. I stayed with him until ½ past nine. I had to get back by 10 so I could stay no later. He said he would come over Sunday & see me. He came over about noon. I took him through the Barracks showed him our uniforms & he seemed very much pleased with our quarters. He left us about 3 o'clock and said he thought he would start for home that night. I just got a letter from George Foote (with Wheton) saying Mandeville Miller is in New York. I wish I had known it yesterday I could have went over and seen him. Now I will not get out again before Thursday. I received the box and contents all OK. Give my best respects to Mr & Mrs Scott thanking them for their acceptable gift. I will thank Mr Baker for sardines through a letter to George Foote. George is well and doing guard duty. He feels rather sore over his loss. I think he has reason to for he lost a good black coat and his satchel with all its contents except one handkerchief which was found in another satchel which was rifled the same night."

(on the left margin) "P.S. Oct 1st William saw the Rev Mr Stewart yesterday. He is formerly of the Niagara and is an intimate friend of Maj Garland (our major commanding). He took our names and promised us that he would see that we went together on a good ship. He is coming over to see the major to-day about it. Grant is going to stay on the Colorado. Will was to late so we will not go. Tell Mrs Argus"

From the John K. Murdock Collection (COLL/799) at the Archives Branch, Marine Corps History Division

OFFICIAL USMC PHOTOGRAPH