87th New York Infantry - NEW

Item LTR-11992

Description

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


Headquarters, 87^th Regiment New York State Volunteers
Camp Casey, Meridian Hill
Washington, DC
 
January 10, 1862
 
Dear Brother Sarles,
 
I wrote you a few lines some days ago, since I'm not hearing from you. I have concluded, as is the case often with soldier letters, that it never reached you. We have been in a cloud of thick vapor for almost two days, so dense at times that you cannot see 20 yards ahead. It is very infectious to our general health. The Sanitary Commission of Washington are introducing quinine wine into the army to protect our men from the melismatic effects of the atmosphere.
 
Such weather as this makes one feel very lonely, almost entirely confined to my tent, with scarcely a visitor. And if one steps in, the things of God are of no interest to him. There is only one officer in camp that I know of who cares to converse on spiritual subjects with him.
 
I occasionally enjoy a pleasant hour relating our experiences and trials, and talking of the love of Christ warms our hearts. Often, I long for the prayer circle where the hearts of Christian brethren are drawn upward in the contemplation of a better world. I ask your prayers and those of my brethren in Bridge Street. The only religious service we have here is an hour on Sunday morning when the chaplain reads the portion for the day out of the Episcopal Book of Prayers and delivers a short discourse. It is not the food my soul craves. I feel I need communion with Christ. I long to hear the unfolding of his grace and to experience the presence of God's spirit. The Psalms of David are a great comfort to me. With him, I am often in darkness in the days. Then again, I can say, "The Lord is my light and salvation. Whom shall I fear?"
 
Camp life is of itself very monotonous, especially so with me with so few associates. We are progressing well in our drill, and I think we'll be second to none regiment around us in that respect in a very short time. We are still under canvas, a very inadequate shelter for the changeable seasons of the year.
 
There is some talk of moving us from our present position, which is a very exposed one, and making us one of the patrol regiments of Washington. Whose duty is to parade in squads, various parts of the city, picking up spies, and in fact, anyone who looks suspicious and cannot give a good opinion of himself.
 
Hoping to hear from you soon. With kind remembrance to the brethren in Bridge Street, so believe you in Christ. 
 
Samuel F. Knight
Captain
Company C
87th Regiment, New York State Volunteers.