70th & 86th New York Infantry

Item LTR-10139

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 3 pages, written in period ink.


1st Regiment Excelsior Brigade
February the 8th 1864

Dear Old Friend Theodore,

I now take my pen in hand to answer your kind and most welcome letter that came duly to hand this evening. I am happy to say that it found me as it left you. That is in very good health. I have been waiting with patience to hear from you for some time. And at last, I have been blessed with a letter from you. My old friend, one who I myself used to run around with to Center Grove and Mill Brook and Dover and other places. Well, Theo, you must not think that I have entirely given up the gentle fair set. For I have not. I am all the time thinking of them and wishing I was at home many a time to enjoy the society of the feminine sex and you will be mildly surprised if I should let you know that I have one that lives in old Morris’ County. Tho, I am going, if I live to see home, to take her for my bride. Well Theodore, I have been out again on a severe march. Walking through slush and mud and laying out all night sleeping with my feet in pools of water and the blanket all wet and sometime so stiff so that they resemble a hoop skirt which the fair sex generally wears. But except this, I am glad that my time is coming around to roll me out of service into the glorious liberty of union and peace. When I can be my own boss and my own master. If God spares my life until spring, I will be at liberty and act for myself without having the officers commanding as blackguarding me with their dumpling timing throwing contemplating insinuations at those who they are in command over. But enough of this foolish talking. Well, I suppose that my letter is somewhat poor and not very interesting to you. But the reason is this. I am all the time bringing in and cutting wood and washing the sick and assuming on business for our Surgeon, who done nothing else. Only sit with their lives in the ashes and making the Pagan sit with their arms folded and solving in the tent.

So, I must bring my letter to a close. Hope I hear from you soon. But all the news you can and send and I shall remain your old friend, David Crockett.

David Rose Losey

Give my best regards to all of your friends, your Mother, Father and all the Gallos. Please create the short and poor finished letter. For I am in a hurry. Give y love to my Dear Old Mother, Sister and friend.

Remain yours as ever,

David K. Losey

To Theodore Nixon
An old Chairman
A representative of Center Grove

Write Soon. Goodbye.

Daves Morris County
New Jersey