Generall Post Office
Nov 7th 1862
3 o’clock a m

Dear Kate,
This morning finds me at the table writing to you again. I am as well as common and hope that
you are all the same. I have not much news to write this morning. We get the news that
McClellan is advancing and that is all we know about it as there is nothing published here that
tells what they do.

I think though there is not much fighting as yet, but we do not know much more here than you do
there about such things.

Yesterday I went down to the navy yard and see the Monitor. She is repaired and is going to sea
to day. I think by her looks there is some fight about her. There is dents in her sides about four
inches deep where the big shot struck her. She has two large guns aboard with 11 inch bores.
They must send some hard leads, I should think.

It was an acident all most that I got a chance to see her. Yesterday afternoon was all that the
publick was alowed to go on board of her. I happened down to the company quarters and John
told me we could see her and we started.It was 4 o’clock and it was 1˝ miles there but went
through and seen her. One allmost feels proud as he walks her deck. She was crowded with
visitors above, below and all over her. Every body was ancious to see the Monitor.

I tell you if I ever get home again I shall not begrudge my trip to the war and we will hope for the
best. The boat looks as near like the picture as any thing can, so I could not discribe it so you
could tell any thing more about it. As we past through the Navy yard we saw some large guns.
There is one that has a 15 inch bore and its weight is about 44,000 lbs. It’s a big thing is all that
I can say about it.

You see, if I did not go around and see what was going on, I should not have any thing to write
about, at least, not much.

Yesterday was the most like fall of any day scince we have been here. It was cold and the wind
blew and the clouds looked like snow, but we have had none, and this morning is cold. I presume
we shall have some cold weather here but nothing like Potter. If I can only stay where we are till
spring I shall think that I am highly favoured and shall be.

We have got no stove and have to go to the company quarters after our provisions. That is about
˝ mile. I do not like that. We think of getting a stove and doing our own cooking. I think we
shall after we draw our pay. It will be more comfortable all around.

Tell Dan that I wrote to him some six weeks ago and have not heard any thing from him scince,
but I think perhaps he has forgoten it before this. I wrote to you day before yesterday about
sending me some things. You can do as you think best about it. Perhaps you had better wait
untill you get home. It will not do to ride a full horse to death you know. There will be skant
use in trying to send any to Eldridge for he could not tell any thing where it would find him as he
is all the time moveing around. That box we sent him the rebels must have got as the express
agent here told me they did not save any thing that they had at Winchester. Even their agent was
taken prisoner. So you see, we have done something for the rebellion, but I do not think it will
be laid up against us if the Government should sustain itself.

If you have a mind you may send them pictures along. I think it would do me some good to see
them once in a while.

I shall look for a letter from Wm. W. now every day untill it comes along. I cannot think of any
thing more so I will close. Give my love to all who enquire and take your share of course. I shall
have to stop as I am entirely run short of any thing to write about.

As ever yours, Bert