3 pages, 5 x 8, in ink, written on a patriotic letter sheet. The edges are trimmed in red and blue, and it has an embossed vignette of an American flag with stars, and olive branches, and "UNION" within. Comes with its original envelope which has a patriotic theme on the verso. It is trimmed in red and blue and has an embossed vignette of a spread winged eagle perched on an American shield with the motto, Union & Constitution. Addressed to George Cooke, Esq., Le Roy, Genesee Co., N.Y., with postmark, Washington, D.C., Apr. 10, 1862, with three cents, George Washington, U.S. postage stamp.

Washington, Apl. 9th, 1862

Friend George,

I now seat myself to address you a few lines to let you know that I have arrived at Washington all safe & sound. We got here last Sunday morning about 3 o’clock. We had a gay old time coming down. You can bet we staid in New York from Tuesday until Friday, so you see we had a good chance to see the city. I went to Barnum’s Museum, and also went to the theatre, and some other places that would not be prudent to mention here, but let it suffice to say that we had a good old time. We are having a nasty cold storm here now. It is snowing quite hard now. The people here say they never knew such a storm at this time of the year before. Well George, I am corporal of the guard today, and am wading around in the mud up to my knees, but never mind, Johnny’s gone for a soger. They are playing the devil with the Seceshers now, but you will probably get the news about as quick as we do. I went to the Capitol yesterday, and went all over it, and then went up & saw some Rebel prisoners. They are pretty rough looking Rubes I tell you. They are regular Plug Ugly’s. We are now in 7th St. Barracks about a mile out of the city. There is lots of soldier boys around Washington you can hardly kick over a chip but what there will be a soldier run out. They are disbanding some of the cavalry and sending them home. Well George, I can’t write any more tonight. Give all of your folks my compliments, and tell them I’m right side up with care. Give Frank H. my undying love. I will now close hoping to hear from you soon.

I remain as ever your friend,

Reate

Direct your letters to Washington, D.C., Co. A, 105 Regt. N.Y.S.V., and the letter will follow us if we should leave here before I get it. Now let me here from you soon.

Very neatly written. Very fine condition. Nice New York soldier letter as he begins his Civil War journey.

105th New York Infantry: This regiment, was known as the Le Roy or Rochester regiment, and it was recruited in the counties of Cattaraugus, Genesee, Monroe and Niagara, and was organized on March 15, 1862. They left the state on April 4, were stationed for a month at Washington, D.C., then as part of the 1st brigade, 2nd division, 3d corps, Army of Virginia, it participated in its first battle at Cedar Mountain, Va., where 8 men were wounded. A week later it fought under General John Pope in his 1862 Virginia campaign culminating in the second battle of Bull Run, its loss in the campaign being 89 killed, wounded and missing. In the ensuing Maryland campaign under General George B. McClellan, it fought in the same brigade and division, but the corps was now called the 1st and General Joseph Hooker had succeeded General Irvin McDowell in command. The regiment had slight losses at South Mountain, but suffered severely at Antietam, where the 1st corps opened the battle, losing 74 killed, wounded and missing. It was prominently engaged at Fredericksburg, where General John Reynolds commanded the 1st corps, with the 105th New York Infantry losing 78 killed, wounded and missing. It had become much reduced in numbers, and in March, 1863, was consolidated and transferred to the 94th New York infantry. Source: The Union Army, Vol. 2.