40th New York Infantry - The Mozarts

Item LTR-320

Description

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

Camp near Fort Tilton
September 18th 1864

Dear Father,

As I had a little leisure time I thought that I would write a short note to you for to let you know that I am still alive and well and in the best of spirits at present and hope that this short note will find you all enjoying the same blessing. There is nothing much a doing except the pickets still keep up their firing and also the sharpshooters. So it is dangerous for to be out where you will be seen by the rebs or they will send a messenger for you but we have learned how to dodge them and to keep out of their way only when it is really necessary to be out. So we keep ourselves pretty close around here and will continue to do so as long as we will stay here.

There is quite a good deal of arguing and spouting on the coming election but the party that is for peace on any terms or McClellan cannot stand up and argue much before they will get mad and turn away. So we have fine fun on some of these great arguments. Some of them says that they would vote the Democratic ticket no matter who is on it for candidate and then it is all that we say to them is that they have no brains or they are out of their mind or something worse. One of the men said that they had ought to be sent to the lunatic asylum. They have always said that the soldier were in favor of McClellan (a sad mistake for them). I will enclose a piece of paper that will show you the soldiers’ minds in regards to the next presidential election. There is nothing more now that I can think of at present so you will have to excuse this short this time. I will close hoping to hear from you soon again.

My love to you all.

I remain your affectionate son,

Wilson Sproul
Co. D 40th N.Y. Volunteers
3rd Division 2nd Corps
Washington, D.C.