139th Illinois Infantry

Item LTR-377

Description

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

Peoria, Ill
October 26th 1864

Darling Lydia,

Once more I sit down to write you a few lines and yet I am not able to write a word that will be in the least degree satisfactory to you or myself about my coming home. Everything “hangs by the gills” in relation to this matter. We have a mustering officer here since Monday. But no ordnance officer and the mustering officer cannot perform his duty until the arms are all turned over and each man’s accounts straightened up. I understand that the Colonel has appointed an officer to act as Ordnance Officer and there is a little hope that we can keep the mustering officer here a day or two longer and muster out in the course of this week. But after all this is done, the regiment is to be paid off and whether the Paymaster will be ready to attend to us or not then, I cannot even guess. And so the things go. Everything in a state of most “glorious uncertainty”. There is no prospect of our getting through this week as I can see. But if we can get mustered out, and I can get furlough, I shall most certainly come home this week. Unless there is some certainty of our being paid off the very first of the week. I am sick and tired of staying here day after day and doing nothing. The men are all getting very impatient and are anxious to get out of the scrape as speedily as possible.

The things you sent by Buhler all came safe, and I can assure you that I am glad to eat, one more, some thing prepared by your dear hands. Buhler also brought some things for Chapman and Myron Mater went home Saturday and brought back a lot of things form home. So you can guess that we have lived like “Kings and princes” since these goodies came. Lt Chapman, Myron and myself mess together and we have good times generally.

But I want to say a word or two about your coming down here. I do not hardly think that it would be best. It would cost considerable for your fare, and then it would cost a good deal here for board. But as I have written you in this letter, unless there is a prospect of our getting through altogether pretty soon I will come home. If I go home on a furlough, I can go for half fare. I need not say that I am exceedingly anxious to see you and Freddie, for you can judge of that anxiety by your own feelings.

The weather has been quite pleasant for several days until today. It is now raining some but not very hard. I hope that it will not come on a long wet spell, for our sleeping places are not very comfortable, and our cooking has to be done outdoors.

I am very sorry to hear of Frank Howard’s sickness. I hope to hear that his fever has taken a favorable turn, but am quite anxious to hear. I should think from what Freddie writes that the folks were needing help in the store, pretty bad. Mr. Fassett’s boils and the sickness of Frank and Mr. Neowan not being well would make it rather hard for them. I am glad that Freddie’s eye is better but I hope that he will not tax it too much.

I think that Freddie has done first rate about gathering my nuts this fall. Did you go with him any? I presume not, as you had so much to do yourself.

Tell Freddie that the apples were very nice. I enjoyed them very much.

I came down from camp this afternoon expecting to go to work on our company papers, but found that I could do nothing to them. I am now writing to you in the Court House and after finishing and mailing this letter will go back to camp and await further developments.

Hoping to see you in the course of this week, I will now close by sending lots of love to you and Freddie and all other endearing friends.

Your loving Husband,
David Hall

Abner is quite well. If I go home, I hope that he will come with me.