157th New York Infantry - Captured at Gettysburg - NEW

Item LTR-11991

Description

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


Headquarters, 157^th New York Volunteers
Folly Island
January 14, 1864
 
Brother Palmer,
 
I write this to acknowledge the receipts of a certain box containing sundry items of wearing apparel, tobacco, dried fruit, singing book, etc., etc.. It was quite a godsend to me, and you have my most sincere thanks. The cost of the articles and the cost of sending the box, you will place to my account.
 
By the way, has Lynn got that $100 yet? If so, alright, unless you want to use it yourself. In that case, no scruples of using the part or all of my money, for it might so well be used as lying idle.
 
I am sorry to hear of your poor health. Hope you are well by this time. My health is improving fast. I have had quite a siege, but am coming out all sound. The weather here is warm and pleasant.
 
No news of consequence to write. Everything quiet along the lines with a continued prospect. One of Company A's men died last night in the hospital of chronic diarrhea, I believe. This makes the third death in our regiment since we have been on the island, while some of the adjoining regiments have lost 50 or 40 to diarrhea, mostly.
 
There is some talk that we shall not be paid these two months, but I guess I can get along if they don't pay. Wallace Baldwin is here, but should be sent to the hospital as his health is miserable. Alfred Covey and John Folly have been sent to the hospital at Hilton Head.
 
The rest of the boys are well and believe, excepting some hard tolls. We hear they are enlisting with great vigor in our town. How is that?
 
I suppose you have seen Roundtree, haven't you? Colonel Brown is here now, and Carmichael has gone home to get recruits, I suppose. The boys all like Carmichael better than Brown, I think.
 
Now, Brother Palmer, I approach a topic of great interest to myself and probably to yourself also. I allude to women. How is the female portion of the community of your acquaintances? I suppose you all kept pretty busy in keeping them regulated.
 
If I was there, I should like to take a part of the responsibility off your hands, but I shall try hard to deny myself for a short season to go in with renewed vigor when a chance presents itself. Do the best you can, Brother Palmer, and hold out faithful onto the end of the war, when I hope to be with you to cash in the smiles of female beauty. 
 
I believe you owe me two or three letters already, and I want you to commence answering some of them pretty soon. I received the package of envelopes the other day. I have got stamps enough to last till spring.
 
Write soon and give me all the news. No more at present. 
 
From your brother, 
 
O.M. Palmer
 
A.W. Palmer