81st Pennsylvania Infantry - Andersonville POW

Item LTR-446

Description

4 page original Civil War soldier's letter written in period ink and war dated. Letter written on a prepared song sheet.

Camp California
Company C, Regiment 81

February 12th 1862,

Dear Father and Mother,

I now take my pen in hand to let you know that I am well. Hoping these few lines may find you and the family enjoying the same. I received yours of the 6th on Friday and did not answer it until getting the box yesterday. And I am much pleased with what was in it. Everything came right. Ask Emma if she sent him any paper and how much she sent him. Let me know if them girls ain’t been eating much, for I think they are getting mighty fat since I left home. There is a great excitement in camp tonight. All the bands around are beating and the men cheering on account of victory of our forces. Our Colonel was presented with a fine sword tonight, which the officers and men bought for him. The Colonel still calls us the dirty ass grays. There was a young man died in our company today by the typhoid fever. He was out drilling on Monday week and he went to the hospital on Tuesday and at 12 o’clock today he died. They telegraphed for his Father and the company is going to pay to bury him. George DeHaven is able to be about now. If you see his sister, tell her he is getting better and he is out of all danger. I sent a letter to Grandmother Slyoff. I sent my likeness on and let me know in your next if you got it. I have got enough clothes now to do me the three years. The boots fit me first rate. Tell Gib I will send my likeness to her next payday for I have run short of money. I send my love to you Mother and all the family and inquiring friends. So no more at present but remain,

Your affectionate Son,

Henry C. Slyoff