Oct 18th, 1861 [Friday]. Washington, D.C.
Dear Father
I received yours of the 16th a few moments ago.
You spoke of seeing Judge Houston in Georgetown and that he said he saw me in Washington. I don’t remember seeing him. He might have seen me, but I don’t think he spoke to me. I think if he had, I’d have known him. I saw him in Dover and, I think if I’d have seen him here, I’d have remembered him.
I see so many men (officers principally) that I’ve been introduced to, that I can’t recognize them when I see them again or (rather), I can’t remember their names. I know that I’ve seen them before, and have been introduced, but I can’t recall their names.
So probably Judge Houston saw me and spoke to me. But if he did, I didn’t recognize him.
You want to know how I stand in regard to money matters. You know I had fifty dollars when I left home. It took about $15 to get to Washington, plus boarding while I was here. The first week cost me about $10.00. To make it clear, I’ve spent about $10 since I’ve been here. I’ve got about fifty now. I received $10 the first of October as pay. I’ve had a great many things to get (blankets, haversacks and several other things).
We are getting ready to go into the field next week. If I like and nothing happens I shall receive $10 or so at the end of this month. I think there are no vacancies in any of the apartments, and if there were, I wouldn’t advise you to try and get it, for, if you be fortunate or rather unfortunate in getting a situation, you’d be sorry for it afterwards.
It would cost you $150 or $200 dollars per month to live here. House rent, for one thing, is so very high. You wouldn’t get a house large enough for less than $75 dollars per month and every thing else is in proportion.
The clerks hardly get time to eat or sleep. It is a continual go with them. They have to be at their place of business by eight o’clock and don’t get to dinner till four and then go back and stay till eight o’clock at night.
There is no news of any importance, I believe. Although there are a great many rumors, they will be contradicted before night
Give my love to all and write soon.
Your son, W. J. Fisher
William Fisher Letter Home
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