49th New York Infantry - Wounded at Antietam

Item LTR-215

Description

4 page original Civil War soldier's letter, war dated.

49th Regiment, New York State Volunteers
Colonel D. D. Bidwell, Commanding

Camp Griffin
November 16th 1861

Dear Cornelia,

I received yours of the 11th and 12th yesterday. And it seemed a long time since I got one from you that I read it two or three times over. I am well and my finger is almost well. And you think I’ve got in a bad fix do you? Excuse my belly is big but I can’t help it. So let her grow and I will have a pair of twins one of these days but I guess it will come about alright. It ain’t like a woman’s belly when it grows you know. I guess I won’t write anymore about bellies in this letter. For if anyone should get this but you, they would think that we were gabbers wouldn’t they? You tell Bill there is not any of my love going to him. For there is nothing but a low lived coward that would say he does. But let him keep talking on and maybe he will live to see whether I love you or not. But there is one thing that knows that we do love one another better than all the world besides. Ain’t that so Cornelia. I was on guard at the General’s Headquarters last Monday. It is about two miles from our camp and they have got lots of prisoners there. That have been court-martialed but have not gotten their sentences yet. Some for getting drunk and some for going off without leave to other regiments. There were men there that have got their wives along with them. They are from Maine. Oh how it did make me feel to think how their women must feel to have their men court-martialed. But maybe they don’t feel as I know you would if it was me. Oh Cornelia sooner than make you feel bad in any way I had rather be shot with 50 bullets. I for one will try and do my duty and that is all that is required of one to do. I am on guard today. It is awful windy here today and quite cold. They say we are going into the Rebels in a few days and don’t you feel bad will you. For I guess we will come out alright, don’t you. I will try and come out alright and hope that I may come home to my own true and loving wife. I have written one to your mother and Charley and another to Perry. And I guess the envelope will be crammed pretty full. And you will write to me often won’t you. And I will pay the postage on them. I will send you stamps to pay on as many as you will write and you will write often won’t you? I have sent you 9 and will send as many more when their gone. I have sent you 15 dollars it is to the Chautauqua County Bank. If you have not gotten it yet, write and tell me when you get it and them stamps. Goodbye Cornelia and don’t forget your loving husband,

Clark