Letter, Lester Beers to his father, Ambrose, April 18, 1862

	Far from the Farm: The Civil War Letters of Lester M. Beers
The Beers farmhouse

The letter below is from a series of letters written by Lester Beers to his father, Ambrose. See About Lester Beers for editor's notes.

Camp Congreve,
Washington, DC April 18th, 1862

Dear Father:

Your letter found me still at our old camp ground. How long we are to remain so is not definitely known although we shall leave in a few days. We have been drilling with horses and guns to day, for the space of five hours.

We have a fine lot of horses Last night I thought that I would try and learn that art of horsmenship I succeeded most admirable, the horse was on a grand gallop when As suddenly it slacked its speed, and I not being properly cautious I lost my balance and fell to the ground I picked myself up however and with the exception of a little scrach over my eye was not the worse for it. My health is much better than it would have been had I staid in New-York. Do not worry so much about me, for if I should be sick I would be well taken care off. Give my love to Grandfather, and Grandmother and take a good share for yourself. Our Captian is all that we could wish, and I hope that if we ever meet the enemy he will be at our head I shall send you my likeness as soon as I can get it taken. We have not been paid off, yet.

Yesterday morning (Friday) I attended Trinity Church the sermon was by the Rect [?] no the Ben [?] Mr. Styles [?], Last evening this city was honored with a lecture from the Rev Francis Winter [?] D.D. The subject was "the philosophy of the war" he will again lecture next Monday evening the subject is "Italy and Santa" in his remarks of last evening he said a high euology to General Scott. Our victory at Corinth, severs the bogus C.S.A. country into two parts.

There is a bloody battle raging at Yorktown. The rebels have five hundred cannon mounted, most of them of large caliber. Island No 10 is ours with out the loss of a single life Com' Foote says that in a good cause it would have been impregnable. It is about 7.30 P.M. I have been obliged to write very fast and a good share of the time I have not been able to see the lines. When you write (and I wish you to as soon as you receive this) direct your letter to Washington DC omitting Camp Congreve, be sure however to direct it to the Rocket Battalion and if we should have left before it reaches here it will be forwarded to me.

I have got some grease on one corner of my paper, I have not received that pamphlet. I must now write to Einnaorge and Harriet If you can read this you can read anything

Good Bye Your Affectionate Son

A. A. Beers. Lester M Beers