38th Alabama Infantry - Wounded & Captured at Missionary Ridge

Item CON-10129

Description

Original Civil War Confederate POW letter. 1 pages written in period ink.


Fort Delaware
August 2nd 1864

My Dear Friend,

With pleasure I acknowledge the receipt on yesterday of your favor of the 28th July. I am glad to learn that you have determined to favor Lieutenant Alston’s application. For he is an excellent young man. A friend of mine of several years standing and needs what he wrote for. I am also aware that Captain Wright is very much in need of clothing. But I fear that some have applied to you for clothing who are not actually in need, but are simply desirous of getting finer clothing than they now have. I feel it my duty to warn you against impositions of this kind. For I am sorry to say, there are men among us who do not hesitate to ask for everything they have the least desire for, without any regard for the purses of those who have shown us so much kindness. If application of this kind were made to relatives or old friends, it would not make so much difference. But it is decidedly wrong to impose in this manner upon strangers. As to the promise of remuneration, I am well aware that in some instances it is merely thrown out as a bait for a better article of clothing. I am also aware that application has been made to you recently clothing by an officer who has not been out of money since he has been in prison. I am extremely sorry to have to stat these facts. But justice to my friends and to the needy one of this prison demands it.

I have read “Piccioli,” and concur in your opinion of its merits. It is a charming book and particularly admire its chaste, the simple style. I have finished the first reading of Caesar and have commenced a review of it. I have been so fortunate as to obtain from a fellow prisoner a book entitled “An exposition of some of the laws of the Latin language,” which will be of great service to me. Captain Wright wrote to you on receipt of the box, which I am happy to state was in good condition and was a most agreeable treat.

Please remember me to Mrs. Albert and make me a sharer with Lieutenant Alston in the chewing tobacco. The balance of the mess smoke.

Very Truly Your Friend,

John P. Seabrook