Fort Stevens D.C. June 11th, 1863

Dear Sister,
I had about given up the idea of over hearing from you when I received yours of the 35th of May, am very glad you have not quite forgotten your Old Friends. Of course your excuse is good, but you must not work too hard, and get sick again. I don't know anything about the Captains going home, but [guess] he will not this month as he is [on] Court Martial at the City, and it is likely will be for a month or six weeks. ([Now] I don't mean he is being tried by the Court Martial, but he is one of the Court) I should like very much to go [tonight] and see you, but don't think I shall, and all the reason is I can't get a furlough.
Yes we did have some good times picking berries, and thought I may never pick any more in Shoreham, I never shall forget the good old times, many are the happiest hours I have ever spent in Old Shoreham, too happy to [laugh], but the [Shoreham fragrance of Cherry] is sweet, and I often catch myself wishing that some of the old dreams might be realized but its of no use and I know it as well as anybody but one [canned] always think of past [do hot] they would especially when alone.
Tell [Gralta] that I should like to know what that dream was and would be very glad to be where she could tell me what it is, but as I cannot be there ask her if she will not [avoid it] and send [T-] to me, Please do Julia.
Clayton was up here five or six weeks ago and [stay] over Sunday. The weather here is quite warm and the way the sand flies is a [caulier] everything we wear is sand color unless we brush half the [latrine]. There are six [companies] of the second [Massachusetts] Cavalry here now, their comp is about fifty [rods] from [cass.] they send [seculing] parties up as far as Rockville, Maryland.
We have three drills a day now, five in artillery and one infantry, and these with the other duties keep me about as busy as there is any need of being, we were reviewed and inspected last week Wednesday by General Barry. I wish you could have seen it for I think the [Rig'] made a splendid appearance, the Gen. complimented it highly.
Now I will tell you the news [first] about two weeks ago our 2nd Lieutenant Charles H. Smith was put in [dress and charge] preferred against him, what they were I do not know exactly but enough to dismiss him from the Service. Some four or five weeks ago he was ordered to the City for trial, after he had had his trial he staid at the city nearly four days without leave, when he came back to camp, he preferred charges against Capt. Hunsdan, and tried to have him arrested. In which he failed as the charges were without foundation he (the Lieut) was then confined to his tent and a guard placed over him, and no one was allowed to go into his tent except the Commander of the post, Capt. Hunsdan, the officer of the day, and one man for a waiter, I suppose he promised better fashions for the guard was removed and the Lieut allowed to go about camp. Everything went on as usual until last Friday night when the Captains pocket book was stolen from his pants pocket when he was asleep. His pant lay on his truck at the foot of his bed, there was a hole in the tent large enough for a man 's arm near where the trunk stood. In the morning the captain told me of his loss and wanted me to watch a fellow he suspected, but after looking around a short time the majority of the men that new of the loss suspected the Lieut and the fellow that waited on him when he was confined to his tent, and shut him up alone. In the afternoon the Lieut confessed that they stole the money said they had been planning nearly three weeks to get it, he went and showed them where it was hidden under a large stone. He was relieved from his command and confined to his tent with a guard in front of it. He has proved himself a liar, thief and dissenter. He has told since we have been here that his commission cost him over one hundred and fifty dollars, he bought it principally with whiskey and lics. I wonder what that new man in Shoreham will think of it. Enough of that.

I have told you all the news that I can think of. I did not tell you about our strawberry shortcake. Sunday, Walter and another of my chums and myself picked about two pails of strawberries, carried them to a woman and she made us a cake and I tell you, it was splendid. Not quite as good as one I have last year do you know where? But splendid for the country. I wish you was as near as Clayton is but perhaps I should not wait to hear you come then if I had to be going away from camp. I should be glad to see you.
Goodbye.
Ever yours
George