June 3rd, 1865, Camp 92nd Regt. O.V.I., Near Washington, DC

Camp 92ND Regt. O.V.I.
Near Washington D.C.
June 3rd 1865

My dear Parents:

We are still in our old camp near the city. Nothing new or strange has happened since I last wrote.
I have been to the City a number of times and have thoroughly inspected every part of the Capitol of the United States of America – have visited the Patent Office, Post Office Dept., Treasury Dept. and the War Dept. Also have been in the grand reception parlor of the White house – very fine place – there are very many curiosities about Washington, such as I would like to spend much time in seeing.

Col. Morrow sent me to the War Dept. yesterday with clerks to superintend the copying of the original muster-in Roles pertaining to the 92nd. After my business was completed I visited the Treasury Dept. and returned to camp. After supper in company with the other officers of our Div. I paid my compliments to Maj. Genl. Geo. Thomas at Willard’s hotel on Pa. Avenue – the noble and well beloved Commander of the old 14th Corps at the battle of Chickamauga. I had the pleasure and honor of grasping the hand of the hero of Nashville, “Old Pap” as he is called by the 14th Corps boys. He seemed glad, very happy to see us.

Today he visited our Div. and as he passed along the line he was every where greeted by hearty cheers, everyone was glad to see him.

I have been very busy this week making up my returns of responsibilities to the government and making out muster-out roles for Co. A. We will be mustered out so soon as all the roles are completed – which I hope will be some time next week but we will not be discharged until we arrive at some camp in the state. I do hope we may get off soon.

I would much prefer marching through Georgia and South Carolina than to remain here for we could get something good in the grub line down in Dixie, but while here in the land of plenty we have coffee, hard tack and salt pork for breakfast, hard tack, salt pork and coffee for dinner and salt junk, coffee and hard tack for supper. I saw a Miss H. Walker in the city – I believe she is some relative of Mr. A. B. Walker of Athens. The weather has been very warm for some time. I have been writing so much lately that it is almost impossible for me to use my pen, therefore it is politic to close.

Tell Geo. he must have a good garden this year. May & Alice can attend to the wants of the turkeys and chickens. Much love to all the folks.
                                                                    Affectionately your son
                                                                                   David Putnam
Official
Harnily Run
Athens Co., Ohio