On board steamer Louisiana
                                                                                                    Baltimore, Maryland
                                                                                                    November 2, 1861

    Dear Father:

         As I have little time to spare now, I will devote it to letting you know how I am and how I
    have got along since I last saw you.

         After we left Worcester, we proceeded to Allyus Point where we took the boat for New
    York. We arrived there safely at about 10 A.M., and marched to the Park where we left the
    men while the Officers went to the Astor House to dinner. You have probably read an account
    of what was said and done there so there will be no necessity of telling you. Suffice it to say
    that I liked the speaking and the dinner very well on the whole. At about five o'clock we
    marched to the Jersey City ferry, and took the cars to Philadelphia. We arrived there at half
    past one this morning and got a good meal at Cooper's Free Volunteer refreshment saloon.
    Mr. Cooper feeds every regiment that goes through there free of expense. In New York we
    were said to be the best looking and best drilled New England regiment that had passed
    through.

         After our meal at Philadelphia we marched (in the rain) to the Baltimore depot, and set
    out for here where we arrived an hour or two since. We are now on board the Steamer
    Louisiana bound for Annapolis, but as it is stormy we probably shall not go there to-night.

          We luckily have got so far without meeting with any accidents except the loss of two tall
    hats. Our rations have not arrived yet and we have eaten nothing of any account since 1:30
    o'clock this morning, so you can imagine we await their arrival with impatience. When you
    write, direct to: Lieutenant W.F. Draper, Company B, 25th Regiment, Massachusetts
    Volunteers, Annapolis, Maryland.

                                                                                Remember me to all inquiring friends.

                                                                                W. F. Draper

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