1st & 4th Massachusetts Cavalry

Item LTR-5542

Description

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

Beaufort, SC
August 25th 1863

Dear Uncle and all,

I have a few moments to spare so I will devote them to you. I am in excellent health and hope this may find you all as well as I am.
I am having nice times I tell you for since I was detached from my Company, I have got acquainted with most all the white ladies in town. So you can imagine whether I have good times or not.
There are two young ladies out here that I used to be some acquainted with when I was at home. They are from Boston and you had better believe I have some nice times with them.
The story here now is that Fort Sumter is almost entirely battered down but how true it is I will not say. Although it is generally believed to be true.
I should like to give you a call this evening but really I don’t see how I can find time so I think I will postpone that pleasure until by and by if it will do as well.
I should like to race my horse with you and I think I could beat old Jim. What do you think but I will tell you one advantage you would have my horse is foundered and so cannot run a great ways at one time. So you must make a long race of it if you want to beat.
How does Miss Ida and her beau get along? I hear they are going it in fine style. Do for mercies sake stop her or she will surely break my heart for me and that would be a bad fix for a soldier to be in. But never mind though I guess I shall stand it if I try hard. Don’t you think so. I have been out to spend the evening and just got back so I will finish now. I spent the evening with the Misses Hale. Two likely young Misses and I had a fine time of it. I tell you but I did not enjoy it so well as I should as we at home I tell you.
I hardly know what to write to you for there is nothing going on round here anyway. For all of the Troops are down to Morris Island playing ball with the Rebels and if nothing happens our boys will win the stakes. I guess and that before long to I tell you. I hope you have heard from Gilbert before this for it is time I suppose and I suppose he has left Liverpool before this is sent. If he has, I suppose he will be at home before a great while won’t he.
I have not had a letter from you for a long time and now I hope you will answer this as soon as you receive.
Yours affectionately
A. C. Belcher