7th New Jersey Infantry

Item LTR-402

Description

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

Camp 7th New Jersey Volunteers

April 19th 1863

Dear Mother, Father and Sisters,

I take this opportunity to write to you a few lines hoping they will find you all well. I expect we will move soon for we have gotten eight days rations. That looks like a move, doesn’t it?! Mother, have you received the letter with the check for $30 I sent you the other day? Write and tell me if you have it yet. Our mail was robbed the other day. But not the mail that I sent my check by. We are going to have Brigade drill this afternoon. I sent you my likeness in this letter. How do you like it? Ain’t he a soldierly looking chap? Fit for a Brigadier? I hear you exclaim – what a savage look – just look at him. Now Mother, if you are troubled with rats. I have got a picture that I meant to send to you and all that you will have to do it to tie it around the neck of one and you will never be troubled after that. It is just the very picture of me when I don’t get a letter from home. Now this one I sent you in this letter, I had taken just after getting Lizzie’s letter and see what a marvelous change it has worked on the face of your obedient son. I wouldn’t advise you to show the good picture to any of the fair sect. For they would be likely to get smitten by the terrible smile that lurks around the corner of my eyelashes!!! How did you act to my Old Cat when she played curious on your dress? Don’t harm her for I love that old gal. Just show her my picture. Well Lizzie, I have quite forgotten that little affair with Moore. I had formed my opinion of him long ago. I could tell him something if I wanted that he wouldn’t like to have known. Enough that he is a deceitful man and full of everything that’s bad. I know a little of his past life. When he preached at Phillipsburg, he came near getting in a mess. Poor fellow. I would hate to see him have to work for his living after the war is over. And he will not be able to play fraud on the U.S. for the soldier’s look on them as frauds. But I must close.

With love to Father, Mother and Sisters, and I remain your loving affectionate Son,

Hugh Roden

Good bye
Don’t tell what I said about Mr. Moore