Washington City May 5th 1861

Dear Wife I receved your letter Friday night and was glad to here
from you to know that you are all well. I am enjoying good health
We are still quarted at the Capital I dont know whether we shall
remain here for three months or not but I think very likely that
we shall be ordered of[f] some where. we was mustered into the united
states servise last tuesday so our term will expire the 30th of
July I was glad to here from Aunt Nelson give my love to her and
to Hariet give my love to Father & Mother take good care of the
Children kiss them for me. I have had a good chance to go around
and see the Public buildings and places. I have bin out to the
Navy Yard treasury Building I have also roved over the Capital
Building Considerable but I have not bin in one twentieth
part of the Rooms yet the Building is 150 feet long or there
abouts I have had the Honer of seeing Honest Old Abe a number
of times also his Wife and Boys I want you to find out how
Frank is and let me know in your next letter. I am going to
the patent Office tomorrow if I can get a chance there is
now about 35000 troups here now and more coming
every day. a Regt from new York composed of New York
Firemen arrived here last thurday night. they number some
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1150 men. all Hard Boys and ready for a fight But I
dont think there will be much of eny fighting to do but We
Cant tell what will hapen we are fully in ready ness for what
Comes. Give My respects to Capt Dade & Frank Hopkinson
and Sarah Ware. and to all enquireing Friends. If you can
get me some Honey from some of the Folks send me some
We have had a Cold Rain storm it Commenced thursday
night and lasted till yesterday noon. I had to stand guard
Friday & Friday night two Hours out and Four Hours in we
drill about Four Hours every day the rest of the time (when
there is no guard duty to do) we Loaf about the Capitel
or around the City. this City is a very poor looking place
with the exception of some few Buildings. the Houses
are scatered over a large tract of Low sandy land. I am
glad to see that Marshall Wescott has got so good a
Company I hope to see them our here. When we was at
annapolis Junction John M Ewin a member of our co met his Folks and Family
who resides there. he had not seen them for some twelve
years he stoped with them over night and then proceded
With us to this City. send me some papers Eathe Newbury
port Herald or Boston papers get me some Friemens
Advocates and send me. We had prayers this morning
and We have devine Woship this afternoon. I dont think
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of much more to write now keep up good Courage I shall
be glad when the three months expire fo[r] I have got
about enough of soldiers life. but I must draw to
a Close. so good by for now from Your
Husband Joseph R Barlow