Dear Lorette,
I received yours of the 23th about an hour ago and as you asked me to be prompt will write this very night unless something happens, it is quite cold today, and some muddy, as it rained most of the time yesterday and last night. Last Thursday Walter and I went to the city and staid to the theatre, and heard Forrest play, "Richelieu" it was just splendid, the house was crowded to overflowing, Clayton went with us, he is looking a great deal better than he did the last time I saw him. You will now doubt notice a difference in the name of the Fort since I wrote you last. They have not changed the name of the fort this time as they did once before (that was at Fort Stevens) but they have changed us, the 112th Pennsylvania (the [] that has been in the defenses North of the Potomac since nearly a year before the 11th VT came out). Have just gone (today) I don't know where and the 11th new garrison all the posts formerly garrisoned by the two, we knew nothing about it until about 12 o'clock last night, were all sung in bed "fast asleep, wide awake, []" when the order came for us to be ready to start for Fort Lincoln at the half past seven in the morning, and of course we obeyed and a very nice time we had marching in the nice soft mud about seven miles, and then to make it better for me, as soon as we arrived here I was detained as officer of the day, and have been running most all day and if I know anything about it am about as tired as there is any use of being; but that's no account. As I have got to be up a good share of the night I can write to you and that is of some account, I believe you have been here once didn't you go to Fort Lincoln when you were in this wooden county. No I hardly think [] would send you letters to Washington but you might try her once yes you must be very careful how you speak of her to me, as my feelings are easily hurt when talking on that subject. Lorette, do you remember what I told you before I enlisted about this same thing, I have told you the same since a good many times, it was true then, and it's true now, there is but one that I (you see I have given up) "worship" and you know who that one is. I should be very sorry to have Clemence or anyone else die such an awful "ginger bread" death as you tell about, on my account, and I rather think there is not much danger as you say I have given her up forever that is if I can give up anything I never possessed, but at any rate have given up the correspondence and that was though great it seems to me that mrs. Mead has rather queen notions of "fun" has not she: but it's all right and I am sure that I never shall quarrel with her unless she does something else worse than writing to Clemence on her mother. Still her intention was good, she thought she was injuring me, I am very happy to hear that there is a change to get your picture at last, I hope he does take good ones. I do not know when I shall go to Fort Stevens but when I do I will get a picture of the major for you if the artist has any taken, I have none of mine and when I was promoted the artist destroyed the negative, and of course I can have no more until I get another negative taken, and cannot tell exactly when that will be and then I don't know about sending one to "Sister Lucy", I am not particularly acquainted with her, and as she has no "babies to frighten" don't see what she wants of me, do you: have just been up to the fest quarter of eleven to visit the Guard, it is a very unpleasant night, rains down, yes it must be you are "getting steady" that is most as many times going to Church in a day (9 times) as I get a chance to go in a year you know I use to be good to go to Church if for nothing else, that is a cute little comb you sent me. Thank you. I mean I have got another [] which will send you but the mead part is that I don't know as I shell ever get anymore as the man that carries them to F. Stevens does, not come here and I don't know as anyone else does, perhaps then we'll be though []
Lorette you are the best give in the world to write to me so promptly and if you only knew how much I prize your letters you would feel partly paid and you must acknowledge that I have done well as regards writing often although I do not expect to write half so interesting letters as you do. There is not so much more room to write so with many thanks to your kind wishes and hoping that Heavens Choices blesses may be yours I am now and forever
Your, George
Good night, kiss