University of Virginia Library

Letter from Charles Berry Senior to his Father, March 6, 1864

I am standing by
a window here in the soldiers' home
and the boys are just singing the
Star-Spangled Banner. Long may it wave'
You may be somewhat surprised at
my delay in writing to you. me reason
was that I couldn't give you the directions
to write to me until now. So far I
have enjoyed the very best of health.
The boys are, I believe, all well, at
least in Co. B. The weather here
is quite warm. This southern sun
shines in at this window this morning
with the warmth of a mid-summers sun
at the north, it looks to be at about the
same altitude. The water we have
here is not of the best quality, it is the
water of the Cumberland River and
is very nearly the color of clay. The
Cumberland river is quite a stream,
being navigable for the largest steamboats.

The railroad bridges [OMITTED] are
on a swing, that is [OMITTED] the boats
come to it, it is made to separate in
the middle and one-half swings to
the side. We had the opportunity of
seeing this on the evening of our
arrival here from Louisville, Ky.
A number of us boys went to a theatre,
last night, in this place, it was
the first that I have ever seen. I
thought that I was well paid for
my quarter. The principle play
was Shakespeare's "Macbeth." I am
of course no judge of theatres but I
was well satisfied with what I saw
and heard. The instrumental music
was good 3 violins, harp, one
clarinet, one brass instrument, I
think a bugle & Double Bass.
You talk about singing and such
like, but there was a girl here last
night that I think would beat
your Mrs. Sunderland decidedly.
I expect that you have received
by this time some money that I
sent [OMITTED] American Express Co.
($60) You may send me word that
you received it, for if not, I have
a certificate that insures its
loss. I expect that we shall
leave here tomorrow, probably for
the front, Pulaski. We expected to
go today, but some accident or
another that happened yesterday
between here and Chattanooga pre
vented us. I am tired of stand
ing and writing, so write to me as
soon as possible & direct to
me Co. B 7 Reg. Iowa Vol. Pulaski
Ten, care of Cap. Reiniger.