83rd Pennsylvania Infantry

Item LTR-11013

Description

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


October 15, 1861
 
Dear Parents,
 
I sit down to write you a few lines to inform you that I am well and the rest of the boys are well.  I received your welcome letter and was glad to hear from home.  I have received both of your letters that you wrote and I got Morrison’s letter and I have got Lewis and Phebe’s letter too.  And I have answered them all and will look for some more.  There is nothing I like better than to get a letter to read for that is about all the news I get.  William Morrison got a letter from Sam Boston.  He is at Harrisburg in camp there.  He is a Zouave, so he said in his letter.
 
I stand it pretty well considering the warm weather in the day time and the nights is cold enough almost to freeze ice.  We get plenty to eat, such as it is.  It is raised bread, strong coffee and tea to drink and beans, peas, beef, pork, potatoes, sugar, vinegar, molasses, rice and hominy.
 
I was out on picket guard the other day and help cut a road for the telegraphic wire to run along.  They have a wire to every brigade about here so that we get the news mighty quick after they start. We have got word several times since the other letter I wrote you to get ready to fight and then they are countermanded so we cool off then until the next time.  We don’t know the hour we may have to fight.
 
Well, I have kept myself pretty straight since I left home and expect to until I get home and then I will have a spree than. I have read the testament half through since I left home and I read some every day.  I was sorry to hear that Mr. Clark was sick.  But I hope he will get well again.  I am glad to hear that your corn is good and that you have 4 acres of wheat sowed. I hope I will help you eat it before three years is up.  I think we will get through before spring.  I hope so anyhow.  Well, I must stop.  Nothing more I believe but,
 
Still remain your son,
 
Arthur K. Cleeland
 
Write soon.  Goodbye.  Direct your letters to the same place you did and if we do leave, they will follow so that we get them.
 
To J.  and E. Cleeland