2nd New York Cavalry

Description

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

Arlington, VA
Camp Palmer
January 16, 1862
 
Emma,
 
I received your letter last night it did not find me very well.  I had to be on guard, it has been snowing for a few days and it turned to rain and it is very soft under foot.  The weather has been quite cold.  I had rather live in Vermont in the winter, the south ain’t the place for me, it is very unhealthy.
 
George Mallory and Wescot and William Searles of Hampton are in the hospital sick.  George is pretty, Craig is about the same. There has been three sent home and would like to have them send me home.  I think I should stay there, but enough of this, there is quite a rumor in camp now that some of the cavalry is going to be discharged.  Some think this regiment will be discharged or sent to Kentucky, but it is hard telling anything here there ain’t any war news.  Only with the pickets it is thought here that there will be some fighting before long, most of the army is under marching orders.  Let them fight, I would like to have one turn with the leaders of this war.  I think I could whip all of them.  
 
As for the lice, most of them died the other night when it was so cold the shirt got so thick that it has cracked off and I begin to feel quite too smart once more.  I should think by your writing that you thought me one scab of dirt.  I can find the hide when the dirt rolls off there.  
 
I can’t think of any more at this time, my eyes are sore and they smart very bad.  I will close.
 
Yours R. E. M.
 
To Miss E. R. M.