144th New York Infantry - NEW

Item LTR-11051

Description

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


Hilton Head
 
October 8^th 1864
 
Dear Wife and Children,
 
It is with pleasure that I send a few lines to you to let you know that I am here and am likely to stay for what I see.  But James and Gilbert are in the 1^st New York Engineers Regiment.  And a lot more that enlisted for the 144^th and I wish that I was there too.  And James is gone to the general hospital.  So, I am left alone again.  And I am glad that they had so good luck in getting out to the regiment.  For they see enough to convince them to get out if they could and they improved the chance for it was no place for them here.  Silas Olmsted is in the hospital and the rest from our place are well for what I know.  Franklin Stoddard and Haskin are in the tent with me and the rest from there are in Company H and B.  what are here and the rest that are left behind have got to go in another regiment.  So, you can see what they get by enlisting for the 144^th.  They have got to go just where they send them.
 
Sunday.  I have been down to the hospital to see James and he is on the gain I think and is very contented and thinks he is in a good place now.  And has good care and Gilbert was to my tent.  So, I guess that he is well and he thanks his stars that he is out of the regiment and has nothing to do with the 144^th Heavy Artillery, which they never was, nor never will be.  
 
Tuesday morning.  And I have just come off picket and it was rather cold in the night for this place.  But I got warm as soon as I heard that there was a letter here for me.  And read it and it was joy to hear that you was all well at that date.  But you didn’t say anything about James’ folks nor Gilbert’s and I guess you had better next time.  For I want to know what they think of being alone this winter.  And I should like to know which is the loneliness of you all and how you get along.  And tell Jeremiah that he must do the best that he can for the widows that are left to his care.  There was a lot more soldiers coming here today for our regiment.  But they were turned over to the engineer for them to manage.  They felt rather bade to be turned off.  But I think they will get over it in a few days when they have a chance to see how it is here and what they have to do and how they are treated by their officers.
 
You must not try to OD too much and get sick yourself for them who would take care of the children must take care of yourself.  It is better to have less than not to enjoy the fruits of your labor.  Try to get along as well as you can this winter.  For I think the war is almost done.  But it will take some time to get around.  But the fighting is about done.  The deserters that come in now say it is and they are coming in by the hundreds ever day with us, and more in other places.  There was over a hundred come from Charleston last week.
 
This from your ever loving,
 
Abram