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Touring the Capitol and Explaining Picket Duty

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Autograph Letter Signed, 4p. octavo, Fort Slocum, June 4, 1864, and reads in part: "...I have been on guard since yesteday morning at this time, all guards stand 24 hours in this way 24 men were detailed to guard the Fort, divided in 3 reliefs 8 stand 2 hours at one time, 8 the next 2 hours, and the next 8, 2 hours and so on until the 24 hours are filled. You see each man is on 8 hours out of the 24 the night is the worst time. I was on last night from 7 until 9 and then from 1 until 3 oclock, there are 10 men detailed from our Co. every day for Camp Guard and Picket duty. I come on twice a week...I was down to Washingotn day before yesterday...I was all over the Capitol there is no mistake about it it is a very fine building although it is not finished, yet. I was in both Houses of Congress, while they were in session, they were not doing much and did not impress me much more than a country school debating society would. I was in the Smithsonian Institute was not much interested...I was in the Patent Office there are thousands of models all under glass cases...the Navy Yard is worth seeing might not be to you, but was to me. There are a great many shops in it and do everything from the forging of an anchor to the making of a percussion cap..." VG.

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