Annapolis, Md., April 13, ’64.
Dear Father, — The court-martial that I am on began its sittings this morning. From the amount of business before it, I imagine that we shall have a busy and long job. Many of the cases are small ones, which ought properly to be tried by a field officers’ court.
General Grant inspected all the regiments here to-day.[1] I was rather disappointed in his looks, as he is anything but an able-looking man. General Burnside and General Washburn were with him. I understand that General Burnside is to remain at Annapolis where his headquarters will be. I am glad of it, as he is much needed here. I see no preparations made for our leaving here and imagine that we shall remain here some time. . . .
The chief trouble that we have from our men now is caused by liquor. They manage to get hold of it some way, and get drunk. We have very little trouble with them, however, in any way.
I have not touched a drop of liquor or wine since leaving Readville, and don’t mean to while I am with the regiment. I don’t think it safe for an officer to do so, especially one who has so many lives in his charge. . . .
[1] General Grant issued his first order as Commander-in-Chief of the Armies of the United States, in March, 1864. His headquarters were with the Army of the Potomac thenceforth, to the end.
