23rd Massachusetts Infantry - Medal of Honor

Item LTR-281

Description

3 page original Civil War soldier's letter, written in period ink and war dated.

U. S. General Hospital
Lexington Avenue
Corner of 51st Street
New York
October 25th 1862

Mrs. Alexander

Dear Madam,

It is with pleasure that I write to you in answer to your request. I have every day since I received your note been at work. Yesterday a lady friend of mine, a sister to General R. King, told me she would go and see General Van Vliet, Quarter Master General of New York about it. She did so and he says by an order from the War Department stating that no lady who so ever cannot sail from this port for any place where there is troops, or pass through our lines, he also said that he would be very happy to let you go if it laid in his power, but he said that Governor Andrew could give you a pass to go from there. I also saw Colonel Howe the next day after your note arrived and he said that there would be a nice boat go on Wednesday next so if you receive a pass from Governor Andrew, or any other officer to pass you through to our lines, I will be most happy to let you know at what time and where a good boat will sail from. I am very sorry indeed that there is such orders, but I tried all I knew and done my best with the help and kindness of Miss King. I think she could as her brother’s are all officers in the Regular Army and she is a very dear friend to the Quarter Master General of New York which is General Van Vliet. I expect to go down to New Bern next week to make a visit to my dear Captain and friends and comrades and would be very happy indeed to see you there. If there is any thing that I can do for you, I will do it with much pleasure as I think I can never repay the Captain for kindness to me while under him and in the Hospital. I received a letter from Lieutenant Drew. He writes all are well and happy as ever!

Yours very respectfully,

John D. Terry