Written by 2 nd Lt. Hartwell W. Freeman, 40 th Mass. Infantry, on folded letter sheet, headed: Fort Ethan Allen Sept. 19, (1862) My Dear Father...I never before felt so much pleasure at receiving letters from my friends as I do now. It is the same with the men in the company, they are writing home all the time. I have to receive all of the letters that are written in the company. On Sunday I sent off more than ninety, and on week days they average thirty...I am in good health exception of a slight cold. I am quite free of dysentery, though it clung to me more than a week. The position here is a very healthy one. We are above all the surrounding country. I was officer of the guard the other day and had to keep awake twenty four hours, I fulfilled my duties quite well for the first time. I am to go out with the company on picket duty tomorrow, to be gone until Monday. I shall get back safe, no doubt, though some of them get shot. Gorham Lovell has cut off his finger. We left Sam the barber in Boston on the way here on a train.? He will be on soon I hope for he is a good cook and does his best for the officers. I had a letter from Gus the same time that I received yours, I am sorry that he has not got a place yet & shall not be paid off for two or three months. I wish it was sooner. I will then refund to you that which you gave to Cliff. How did he make such a mistake? I did not count the money he gave me and do not know what the amount was. I had to buy a sash, boots, canteen, knapsack, towels, brush & comb, paper and many other things in Washington, I had to pay high for all that I thought. I did not think much of the capital. I swam nearly across the Potomac the other day. Yesterday as I was out drilling a sound of the men, some of the other companies some distance off fired a volley of shot right into our mists , but providentially I happened to be at opened ranks, and no one was hurt, some of the balls went into the Ft. and wounded two mules in there. I can see two forts besides our own from this hill. The firing of the late ba had sounded quite near to us. The country around here is desolate enough. We have been prepared for an attack two or three times. Mules are used here instead of horses...we now hold the third post of honor in the Regt. This is the color company, more danger, more honors. Our Col. Day (Joseph M. Day) says that he shall have us ready and repat? us for duty… Condition Clear had, normal folds, VG+. From a group of letters recently found in a Kentucky estate.