1st Massachusetts Cavalry

Item LTR-461

Description

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

Headquarters Centre Grand Division
Army of the Potomac
January 10th 1863

Dear Friend George,

I received yours of the 4th this morning and was very sorry to hear of your great loss, but it is all for the best. It must be a great consolation to you to know that your wife lived and died a Christian. George, I hardly know what to write to you for you must feel very bad but you must put your trust in God. For he alone can comfort you.

I hope you will write to me soon and tell me all the news and what the folks in your part of the country think about this rebellion and of the Battle of Fredericksburg.

I hope this letter will find you as well as it leaves me. How far are you from where Angeline works? Do you ever see her as I know where she is? If you do and it is not too much trouble for you, I wish you would ask her if she has forgotten me entirely. For I have not heard from her in a long time and have sent 4 letters to her and received no answer to them and intend to write to her no more until I get a letter from her.

I want you should write a good long letter to me in answer to this and tell me all of the particulars of Katie’s sickness and about little May and how May is and how her health is and all about her. I received a letter from S. T. Chapel the other day and his folks are all well except the children have got the whooping cough, but are getting better now. He also sent me a package by express containing two pairs of gloves, 1 pair of yarn mittens, 5 pounds of tobacco and some paper and envelopes. I think he has not forgotten me entirely. It is raining very hard here now and is a very cold rain. It has been very fine weather along back for this of year.

I hope you will write soon to me and if you can see Angeline please find out why she does not write to me. Please excuse all mistakes and bad writing and accept the love and best wishes of your friend.

Direct to:
Joseph W. Blake
Company F, 1st Massachusetts Cavalry
Headquarters Centre Grand Division
Army of the Potomac
(via Washington, DC)