10th Connecticut Infantry - Twice Wounded

Item LTR-5275

Description

4 pages, original Civil War Union letter written in period ink and war dated.

Headquarters Annapolis
Regiment 10th, Company C, Captain Goodyear

Camp Annapolis
November 23rd 1861

My Dear Friend Nettie,

I do not know as you will want to hear from me, seeing that I did not obey your orders when you left the good olde towne of Bloomfield. But I could not help it. So you must not scold about it. I have been gone near seven weeks. We have been at Annapolis over five weeks. We are having a good time here. Though, we have to drill pretty much all of the time. Eight hours a day. We have a great many here, three New York Regiments, four Massachusetts, three Pennsylvania, two Virginia, one of the New York Zouaves. I tell you, they are hard looking, it is their dress, I presume, that makes them look so. It made me think of Mark your brother. There is several more that I do not know. 17,000 troops in all here now. We expect soon to go on an expedition. Still, we may not go at all. There is some talk that the war will soon be closed. I hope to God it will. Then I will go home t see the folks once more. There is great preparations, making for an advance to our Army at all fronts at once. This I think will end it. They are pretty much surrounded and cannot get away. Gaylord Meachum is here. We are together and enjoy ourselves first rate. I have a letter from home most every day. They are well. Oh, should I not like to see the family together once more as we used to be. Last summer evening when you was there, full of fun. I dreamed of you last night. That I was talking with you and Lucy about something. I waked up a laughing and forgot what it was and no Nettie nor Lucy. Then I was mad at first, I say and thought of you and her for a long while and it made me feel bad for some reason or another. I always have from the first acquaintance. Forgive me Nettie if it is wrong, but had great regards. I fairly loved you for your kind and good disposition and friendly feelings towards everyone. Even to a poor laboring chap like me. Not many in your circumstances would look at the likes of me or at least associate with them and Lucy too. Such girls are scarce. Excuse me Netting I may never see you again. If it should be my lot to fall on the field, may it be feeling that I have done my duty and that I leave them that are friends to me and my family. You for one may always be the same good person that you are now. You may think that this is foolish, I presume you will, but you must consider that it comes from one that does know much. I am well and tough as ever. But not as saucy for I cannot be for they will not allow it. We are kept very strict and but a little to eat, hard bread, or crackers and salt beef, horse or mule, I do not know which. It is curious meat at any rate, very course and tough.

I believe if I could get a hold of a good fat woodchuck, as we had last summer, it would taste good. Have you found any in market yet? Ha ha. It make s me laugh to think that you was a going to get one in the market when you got home. It rains here today and we are all in our tents. I am setting on a stack of wood, paper on my knee and wring to you hoping to get one answer from you. And may I hope not in vain. I hope that you think enough of me to write. If you are ashamed to have it known, you can do it and not let Chapman know it. There is no one else who will. Good bye. Give my love to your Mother and Marcus. Tell her that what she said made me go. My love to you a good bunch of it.

From your friend,

Charles S. Taylor

Excuse what I have said. I would say more if I dare. Write soon, for when we shall go I do not know. Tell Chapman I am well. My best respects to him and wife.

Do not forget Nettie. How is Johnny? Send your photograph. Nettie, send me your photograph. That big one. I have got all but yours. Please write and put it in the letter.

C.S. Taylor
My love again
A soldier

Write as soon as you get this. Tell me everything, no delay.