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 The Civil War Letters of William Beynon Phillips

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[Fort Lincoln,]
[Washington, D.C.]
[December 14, 1862]

[Dear Mr. Richard,]

[Page 1 missing. Contents suggest this letter was written about mid-December 1862.]

…Colonel [Augustus A.] Gibson can conduct business without giving furloughs or passes, so paying you a visit is smoked. In Fort Delaware, the officers down to the 2nd Lieutenant displayed their epaulettes, feathered hats, & the glories of dress parades. But in Fort Lincoln it is played out & now the pick & shovel has to taken. Instead of the Regal Dress [and] Present Arms of a Dress Parade, it’s this: "Front Rank, Take Picks. Rear Ranks, Take Spades. Form. March."

I slipped [away] to Washington last Thursday and spent the day in dodging the Provost Guard &c and try for a little of the creature [comforts] but that’s forbidden to the soldier in the city. However, we managed it by employing a nigger to buy it for us. I put into a good cup of tea with some good lady there and it was a big thing. Yesterday the boys of Captain Blair, Sam Rogers, David Richards, Bill Matthias & David Rees paid us a visit. They are digging a new fort called Fort Slocum .

This fort is the Headquarters of the Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Division of the Defences of the Potomac. We are just now very busy building out stockades for winter quarters. They are very comfortable.

Please send me stamps so I can write home.

The boys are all pretty healthy & wicked as usual. We have plenty of privileges here [and] can go all around “on the sly.” The country around is magnificent [and] delightful. It would pay you to come and see the city & its surroundings. Potatoes, turnips, cabbage, and chickens has all been enrolled and drafted for a circle of 3 miles. They will report at the mess in Fort Lincoln shortly.

Give my best respects to Mrs. Richards & a kiss for little Netty. Best respects to Miss Howell & Henry & all the acquaintances.

I shall now conclude with highest regards. Yours truly, -- W. B. Phillips

Footnotes

Fort Slocum was built by the 2nd Rhode Island Infantry and named for its commander, Colonel John S. Slocum, who was killed at the Battle of First Bull Run. It contained 25 guns and mortars. It guarded the intersection of the left and right forks of the Rock Creek Church Road. From March 1862 until the summer (perhaps later), Batteries K and E of the 2nd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery were barracked at Fort Saratoga, "but left camp at 6:30 am daily and marched to Fort Slocum" where they worked on enhancing the fortification until evening, :returning to camp at 6 or 6:30 pm." (Ward) 

griffing@fnal.gov