39th New Jersey Infantry

Item LTR-5168

Description

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

Headquarters, Second Division, Ninth Army Corps
Office Assistant Commissary of Musters

March 29th 1865

My friend Emma,

Your exceedingly interesting letter of March 23rd reached me on Sunday evening and now I have the first opportunity to reply.

And first let me make one remark in regard to promptness. In western parlance, I was “more than pleased” to receive an answer to my nonsense so quickly. And will hereafter give your letters equal attention.

So! My call at your house gave rise to numerous inquiries didn’t it? Well, that’s the way in New Jersey. If one wants to find out anything about their own business they have only to ask their neighbors.

I sympathize deeply with your friend of whom I inquired their way. She has my best wishes for her speedy recovery. For I know enough about a lady’s curiosity to know that she must have suffered severely. You may tell your sister Lottie that my teeth do not ache now and I have used the very last chewing tobacco I ever shall. What do you think of that? Am I not very patriotic to forgo such a pleasure for the ladies sake?

That reminds, as “Uncle Abe” says of a little verse I once read and thinking it true, I copied it.

“O’ did we take for heaven above,
But half the pains that we
Take day and night for woman’s love,
What angels we would be.”

Please don’t infer from the above that I am moonstruck for such is not the case. I think you would make a fine soldier. If you faint away, where your own is merely touched. Oh! Yes. I think you would do first-rate in an engagement. (Battle I mean).

As for your first letter, I must say that I almost doubted that you had written it. For it was so directly opposite to the character I had heard of you. But when I saw you, my doubts vanished.
I am somewhat accustomed to read dispositions by the countenance and it did not take me very long to decide that you could act in a very dignified manner when you chose. And now I have a request to make. Pleas throw aside your dignity when corresponding with me. And I will endeavor to act in such a manner that you will never regret having done so. In other words, I will treat your letters as I should desire any gentleman to treat my sisters.



I am also slightly acquainted with Mr. William Day of Morristown, NJ. The intended victim of the wedding you mentioned.

My card you will receive just as soon as I get chance to ordered while at Newark. Accept my thanks for the promise to exchange the card. I now have from a letter. Believe me, I shall be pleased to receive it and keep the one I now have too.

One word more in reference to your letter. You say that I must get tired if I receive many such. Rest assured I have not in a long time received any letter or letters that interested and amused me as did yours. And were you to try a month you could not write more to my satisfaction than your last.

Do not think I’m a flatterer, for I am not. And what is more, I heartily depise that class of persons who resort to lies to any form. If I do not like a person I can leave them alone but cannot appear to love them.

Last Thursday, we had a perfect “Harry cane” which blew down many tents, trees, etc. But as Britton and I are not liable to the Draft, it did not affect either.

On Saturday, we had a storm of another kind. Being nothing less than a battle and thank God, it resulted in a substantial victory for our arms. Your brother, I suppose, will give you an account of it. So I will merely give you the result in figures.

Our loss was less than 500, mostly prisoners. While we captured 1949 prisoners (including 71 officers) and killed and wounded two or three hundred more.

I look upon Saturday’s engagement as the opening of our spring campaign. The inevitable result of which must be the arrow full of that southern confederacy.

Yesterday at City Point, Generals Sherman, Sheridan and Grant were closeted with Admiral Porter and President Lincoln. And if that conference does not result in important movements, I shall be mistaken.

I fear I have already wearied you with this letter. Therefore I will close.

Please excuse the penmanship as some “pimp” broke my pen last night and I have been trying new ones and at last am suited.

With kind regards to your entire family and hoping soon to hear from you. I am,

Sincerely Your Friend,

Lew