Harry Stewart
Photo Courtesy of the Thompson Family.

January 24, 1861 {Sic -Should be 1862}
Dearest Mother,

I wrote to you the other day but in the hurry and the confusion of morning I forgot to send it. Since writing to you last from Pikesville Arsenal we have again moved to Annapolis Maryland. Oh! such a time. On Tuesday [Wednesday is crossed out] our bunks were almost finished orders received to prepare to move. On Thursday (crossed out and wrote Wednesday) morning I wrote (crossed out) rode to the city and back a distance of about 24 miles. At 7 pm I was ordered to report myself to the colonel in Baltimore immediately. I had everything packed and by 8 o'clock I was off, the quartermaster was with me and it was 12 o'clock before I arrived. After reporting myself I was ordered to attend to several things. I rode around until around 2 am when I put up my horse and went home. Amanda was in bed but dressed herself and fixed all my clothes so I got no sleep. At 6 am I was ready for duty again and rode the colonel's horse down to the wharf. Our regiment had started at 4 am and were already there. I had to help get the men on board at 12 noon. The boat started, the band playing, men hugging women crying and a great hubbub generally. The colonel being detached on a court marshall I had to remain to look after his baggage. As soon as the boat was off I was ordered to take the squad and patrol the city. This I did and brought in about 10 men who had been left. Everything being aboard and all ready at 8 pm the boat started and we had a hard time of it. The servant had mislaid my haversack and eating was out of the questions. I fortunately got on good terms with a captain of a barge we had in tow and I had good grub and a warm bunk. We had not got far when a government cutter "hailed us" and we had to "lay to" after about an hour's delay we were "off again" reaching Annapolis around 3 am. I had charge of the men and they bothered me so I could not sleep. The city being under "martial" law we could not enter until after reveille so we made ourselves as contented as possible. The men were drunk and no fire for them and they grumbled, growled, cursed, etc, One man said "three cheers for the Ameri(hic)ican (hic) flag. (hic) Hurrah (hic) Hurrah (hic). The rest were either too drunk or sleep or cold to join him. It was laid over. At sunrise we hauled in and commenced unloading. I had to oversee it so as to get the staff officer's things and cold, hungry and sleepy I was I tell you but I stood it. All went off smooth and tonight I am in splendid humor, good health and very rocky " or miserable and tired". We have just commenced active service and I am happy and satisfied. The men are scattered all over the city but I am in a good room with a roaring fire, the Lieutenant colonel keeping us roaring with laughter. Amanda was well when I left her brother has enlisted with me.

I am your son
Harry