Veterinary Surgeon - Army of the Potomac - Very Rare

Item LTR-10658

Description

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


Assistant Quartermaster’s Office
Parkersburg, West Virginia

October 4, 1864

My beloved Elizabeth,

I wrote last night in haste a letter to you in response of yours. But as I have a few moments time this morning, I take gladly my pen, to say a few words more, at first by reading your letter over, I see that you think I do not think of home, Ah! If you could imagine how much I think of home, and how unhappy it makes me to be so far from home. The word home, lovely to all, but it is never felt in its’ fullness, by those which are at home, of the beauty, except by the homeless and surely felt by me very much. I am very sorry that you have so much on your hands but my love if the great God will give one strength to go through. Any hardships now I hope I will make it easier for you soon, which is my earnest wish and which, so I do love you dearly and more so as you ever had anybody and when a man truly loves his wife, she is the guardian angel, which guides a man’s steps to the best actions of his life. As to my pecuniary matters, contractors, and all other officials’ employees by Quartermaster and clamoring for pay. But the Treasurer withholding all other payments in order to pay the soldiers, but I hope I will get some money to send you before the first of next month. Even if I have to borrow it somewhere. As to my reasons and clothing, I am getting out of shirts and of pants and coats and drawers. I have plenty of stocking in abundance. Handkerchiefs enough and collars none at all. But it doesn’t matter how I look here. As I do not wish to go anywhere when my business is over. As to my room and think of my home, tomorrow morning I go to Clarksburg on inspection. From there, I go to Cumberland. Remain in Cumberland one day and return to Parkersburg on Saturday and remain here till Wednesday. Hope to have a letter from you by this time and if I should be able to get my money in any of those places, I will send you some in a letter. But as soon as I get my pay, I shall send it by Adams Express, which will take at least 5 or 6 days to reach you. Till then you must use what you have. If any letters should come from my mother, don’t send them to me, till you have informed me of the same. Direct all my letter to Parkersburg, West Virginia. I have sent for my letter to Hagerstown and but have not received them yet. Now, as to your saying in your letter you forgive me at the untimely advice of not being affected when you are going to have your picture taken. It is not necessary to forgive me. As I have said nothing requesting the same. What I meant by affectionately was I did not want your picture with colors. I wanted my true Elizabeth in natural color. The same as I had one before. Well enough of that, I hope time will pass soon and I will have the good luck and fortune to come home and see you all on New Years providing I am not sent to various places of which they are talking now. But as your wish, always has been, that I should leave for a year, at least and not return. I don’t know what you may be much pleased with it, if such thing should happen. I have no more to say on any subject. Hoping my lines find you in good health and spirits. The same leave me well but as for spirits, it is not very brilliant. Give many kisses to the children, Mary Amelia, Lizzie, Alex and Lilly and take as many as you will care to take.

From you distant and true, loving husband,

Siegfried Neumann

Give my love to your mother, if appreciated and inquiring friends.

I can get a good position for Jimmy Pool. If he likes to come out here. You can advise me what I shall do about it in your letter.

If anybody inquires where I am, it is not necessary to tell them. As I do not wish anybody to know where I am.

S. N.

Expect to have a letter from you very soon.

Siegfried