9th Maine Infantry - Maryland Letterhead - NEW

Item LTR-11547

Description

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


Hilton Head, Port Royal Entrance, South Carolina
 
December 2, 1861
 
Dear Brother,
 
I received your letter this morning and hasten to write you.  What shall I write you.  I hardly know what.  Mary is Dead. Can it be.  Shall we not behold that smiling face again on earth.  I can feel to weep with you, that weep and to sympathize with you in the loss of a Dear Friend.  She loved her Savior.  How blessed.  What would you do now in your affliction if you did not believe.  She was with her Savior.  One of our number is taken from the Church of Christ.  What is our duty now as professors of the followers of the meek and lowly Jesus.  Oh, if I could live faithful and always be found at my post of duty, you have met with a great loss.  But you do not mourn as those that lose friends that have no hope.  You feel as though in a few short years at the most, you will mee her in that world of bliss and glory.  You write, let us be waiting to follow.  Yes, that is it, dear brother.  Live so as to meet our friends in heaven.  Oh, what a happy thought and I feel the need of the presence of my Savior here, away from my earthly friends.  But I believe that I hold communion with my God.  We have some prayer meetings in our tents.  We have no Chaplain.  It is a disgrace to the Pine Tree State.  But we can meet our Savior at all times and in all places.  The poor is well as the sick can partake of the waters of life freely.
 
My dear brother, I wish I could write you a good letter, but I cannot.  I could not if I had a good opportunity.  We have to be called so often that I am confused.  So, you will excuse me.  Tell Charles W. that I will attempt to answer his kind letter in a few days.  Give my love to your mother, Roberts and all of my friends in Abington.  I wrote you in my last about some things you will not feel like getting them now.  Although, I should like to have them.  But I can do without them.  Write often and I will try and do the same.
 
From your affectionate brother,
 
Isaiah Cushman