148th Pennsylvania Infantry - Wounded at Po River, VA

Item LTR-10187

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 3 pages, written in period ink. Letter written to soldier's future wife, Susanna Catharine Blank.


Lincoln Hospital B.B.
Washington

November 9th 1864

My dear and affectionate love,

I take the present opportunity today to drop a few lines to you information you that I am well at the present time and I hope and pray that these few lines may find you in the same state of good health and that you may enjoy yourself with pleasure wherever you are.

My dear, I inform you that I enjoy myself not very well at the present time. For it is very lonesome here where I am. But I don’t expect to stay here long. I may stay a few weeks here. I expect they will transfer me to my own state and I expect to come home this winter sometime, maybe before long. They are talking to leave them all home what wasn’t at home for the election.

My dear, I inform you that I expect Old Abe will be reelected again for the President for I have received the paper this morning and it gives a great account for Old Abraham Lincoln.

And my dear true love, I inform you about a little of war news that I have received by a letter from the army yesterday. That they have had another battle again and it was stated that one third of our Corps was captured. If you have heard from Daniel M. Gersch, write to me if he is alive yet or not.

My dear, I inform you that my leg is recovering and commenced to heal again. You need not be afraid that I wouldn’t be able to walk. My legs get so sore than ever it was. I am walking around with a cane of the present time. I hope you won’t get angry about me. I am as true to you as ever and I hope you be the same to me. We will have once the happy time which we have now sorrow if we keep our health and don’t be parted from each other. I remember you as long as I live and I hope you do the same to remember me.

It is not long anymore that I have to serve in this cruel war. The time goes fast around now. Then I hope to meet you in love if you don’t part from me. Then our hear and hand may be joined together to part not until death. And then I hope to have a long and happy life with each other.

My dear, I inform you if Edward Payne is at home. Tell him that he shall come at one and see me if he comes out again. I expect he is at home at the present election.

Mr. Henry B. Hillegras