16th Georgia Infantry & Chief Surgeon for General Thomas Cobbs

Item CON-5989

Description

Original Civil War Confederate soldier's letter.4 pages written in period ink.

January 8th 1863

My Darling Emma,

Your letter of half a sheet of 27th December and that of 31st with three fourths sheet are at hand. I intended writing yesterday but Dr. Mather, Lieutenant Colonel Krinn and some of his friends spent the day with me. And I am afraid I did not write as I have your last letter also to reply to. You speak of having told me what kind of things (needles, etc.) you wanted but I never got the letter.

I have written so often lately that I have nothing to write of, nothing occurring here that would be of any interest to you. I write you that I had sent you one hundred and eighty dollars by Express. I suppose by this time you have received it.

Pay call. Maxwell per last year’s time of casting. I will write you in a few days what it is so with what this money you have. If you see Dr. Skinner, tell him I wish he would make some settlement with Dr. Gilbert of Albany. Tell him I settled a note of Hall and Lamar of Americas when I was home.

The only account against the firm now unpaid is that of Dr. Gilbert. For I want it settled.

I wrote today to Colonel Aiken to send you twenty dollars left with him by Inez. I also wrote to Dr. Nunn in reference to his nurse. Have you heard anything in reference to “Romeo”?

Charlie Furlon and Captain Hawkins of General C. Dole’s staff have just left. They have been here to dinner. In fact, somebody is here to dine almost everyday. It relieves a large deal of the monotony of camp life. I expect Mrs. Manfred Kerns, Eugene Hawkins of Milledgeville.

Winn arrived here yesterday afternoon specifically to go with him to see Dr. Cooper.

I am glad to hear Josh is better. I hope you found your trunk. If Mr. Clonding sent the check you have it, the R.R. will have to produce a pay for it. You had better have it looked for at once so the sooner you inquire into it the more apt you will be able to find it.

I am very glad to hear the baby is improving and hope he will continue to do so on your account as well as on his.

Have you tried Pallan since I sent to you. If you have not bought the gloves you speak of, do not do it. As I have plenty. Am much obliged to your kind thoughts of it.

You seem to be unfortunate in being interrupted in writing your letters. So that you don’t have time to finish them in time for the mail. I am glad to learn Mama is in better health and spirits. Remember me kindly to her and Irene.


I suppose Mrs. Ramford is well pleased at the idea of Mr. Ramford remaining at home. His health is in such a condition, it was when I saw him, as to unfit him entirely for camp life and not only that, I think it would have developed afflictions that would have probably given him much more serious cause of damps to life.

I wrote to J. R. Fisin the other day telling him as I supposed he would find it necessary to enter the service that I thought I could get him a suitable place here. I have not heard from him since. He and all in uncertainty since the death of the General as to me going to Geogia.

We hardly expect we will be allowed to go. Had the General lived I do not think there was much doubt about me going.

Most of the preparations had been made by him but part was verbal and part in writing. And there is no one with the energy and influence that he had to push it through. It is a slim chance.

But for seeing you occasionally I would almost as leave as be here or in Georgia.

The weather is more pleasant there and we could get much better living probably. But there is nothing but picket duty to do. We would be almost at the end of the war. There will be no large battles there. To be sure I would be able to see my darling as often as I could, but if I could not get off there it would be sure away than here, for sure I do expect it.

I am in hopes of being able to get home sometime this spring to see my treasures.

I really do want to see you very badly. I have written to Colonel Maxwell.

Don’t forget to see to that not of Jno. T. Brown as he may make me pay it again. Get Mr. C to see to it.

Hello to Mrs. Cramhard and Lou. Where is Miss Nellie and Mrs. P.

Kiss the baby for me. And bless my darling treasure. Write soon. I long to get your letters. Goodbye my Darling.

Your most affectionate and loving,

Erwin