Soldiers Rest
		Washington D.C.
			May 31st 1865

	Well Nell we are in Wash
ington once more. safe and sound
Arrived here last night at sun
set having resumed our journey
Sunday A.M. The remainder of
the trip was a very pleasant one
[illegible in original] barring the length and
attendant wearying effects.
     We expected to find the brigade
near Alexandria, and our jour
ney at an end but alas for
the fulfillment of all mortal
hopes and expectations we [fired?]
our journey but just began
and the brigade for on its
way to the west. St Louis
must be reached before we

can rest again and within
a day or two we shall “take
up our beds and march.”
     If I am fortunate enough
to read the command papers
the commence action opera
tions in their new field
I may see a goodly portion
of the “far west” before seeing
Michigan again. yet I can
not say that I am particularly
well pleased with the new phase
of things. but yet again Ive
seen worse pills than this to
swallow and if this is the worst
thing I see during the next year
I guess I shall be able to
survive to the last. The most
I dread now is the journey which
will be slow and tedious at the 
best. The brigade left here
immediately after the close
of the review a week ago

My analysis of the affair
amounts to just this.
Custer has been appointed
to the command of a depart
ment consisting of the two
states of Missouri and Arkan
sas and wishing good reliable 
			          ed
men to assist him has prevail^
on the War Department to give
him his old Brigade and “here
we go.” We shall probably
take the Balt & Ohio R R. to
Wheeling thence by boat to 
St Louis. We may possibly
go by rail a great part
of the way yet I doubt it.
     Well this is the substance
of my experience since the
date of my last communi
cation and I will close.
   Harvey Reynolds is in the
Hospital a short distance
from here sick with

St Anthony's dance in
one side. I have not seen
him yet. but hope to get
an opportunity. before I leave
here. I would advise you to
desist writing more until I
can give you the necessary
address. You may also advise
all my correspondents of the
change Love to all
	Your Brother
		E.R. Havens