Monday, September 30, 1861

This morning at 2 a.m. we arrived at the Soldiers’ Rest, Washington, a large building near the depot devoted to the temporary use of incoming regiments.  Here we had a breakfast which caused some complaint [tremendous grumbling].  Boiled salt pork, extremely greasy hardtack, and coffee.  E. N. Nutting says the coffee was well seasoned with quinine by order of the medical department.  This made it very bitter.
As a whole, the journey from Manchester to Washington was a delightful one.  I enjoyed particularly the ride over and beside the Delaware and Susquehanna rivers.  At Havre de Grace, on the latter one, the cars were run on board a ferry boat and we passed over without change.
As we came in Delaware the great numbers of colored people were noticeable, making it seem as if we were indeed getting southward.  They gave us a patriotic welcome, cheering and waving handkerchiefs, etc.  You ought to see their corn here – it is tall, I tell you – and eat some of the grapes; they are as sweet as raisins.  I can hardly look east, west, north, or south but I can see an encampment.