87th & 40th New York Infantry

Item LTR-466

Description

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

Headquarters, 87th New York

June 8th 1862

Dear Brother James,

I now take hold of my pen to pen you a line or two. To let you know that we are still alive and enjoying good health. But I suppose you are a looking in the papers to see if you can find out whether we are dead or alive. But we are well and alive. We were in the battle on Saturday week ago, which was a very severe one. But we done the best that we could and made out to survive it. And came out all right, unharmed, but I will not have much time to write for we have been called out by the sound of musketry. We suppose that it was the enemy drawing our picket in. But the sound of musketry has ceased and our men have started the cannonading. So we can’t say what will turn up before night. But let come what will. We will do as we done before. Do the best that we can and trust in him that seeth all things is well and as long as we trust in him, there is no harm to fall upon us. For all is well at any hour or at any time. But I must begin to bring this note to a close and I will try to write some other time, and tell you more of the battle. But I will tell you that our Captain has not been heard from since the battle. I suppose that he was wounded and taken prisoner. There was ten all together killed, wounded and missing. Two killed, two missing and six wounded. So you need not feel worried about us, for we are not counted among them. But Sloan is. He is slightly wounded in the knee. But I must not delay this too long for I want it to go as soon as it can. But you must excuse me for not writing before. For we have not had time to write or to do much else for ourselves. Jonathan has gone out for the letters. So if he brings any, I will let you know before I seal this. You must write and let us know how you are getting along. There is no mail for us now but the boys say that there is another mail. I am in hopes yet to hear from some of you. But I must close, so no more at present. Write soon.

From your affectionate Brother,

Wilson

To:
James H. Sprouls

No mail for either of us as yet.