22nd New York Infantry - Wounded at South Mountain

Item LTR-556

Description

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

Virginia

February 23rd 1862

Dear Sister

Yours of the 18th and 19th is at hand and I have just seated myself down to answer it. I am at present and enjoying myself tip top but I ain’t enjoying myself half as much as I would if we should have a battle. For I am aching to go on the field of battle. And if it is my luck to stay here in old Virginia, I shall. That is all. If our officers don’t take us on the field of battle soon, I shall go to fighting with my fists in our own regiment. That won’t look very good I know, but I must do something to exercise myself. We have not drilled any for over two months on the account of being so muddy. I guess the folks north aren’t dead yet. If they get up nights to fire cannons and forge the union when we gain a battle.

Dear sister, you said that you was sorry that I did not kiss that gal where I stayed all night. Well it was too bad but never mind. If I ever get back north, which I think I shall, I will make this all up. I am not very eager to go back for I want to give every fellows that stayed north a chance to get married. For if they don’t, they shall live as old bachelors. For when we soldiers get back north, we shall take everything and them that stayed at home shall have to stand to one side.

Eliza I guess you can give them young folks that was to that party my respects. And everybody that inquired about me. And tell them that I am the same old boy. Only my name has changed a little. It has changed from Frank Aubin to Major Aubin. Eliza, I sent Matilda at Glens Falls a paper last week and when you write let me know whether she got it or not. And how you like that piece that is about me, about Major Aubin.

I will now close by asking you to write soon.

From your affectionate Brother,

Frank Aubin

To E. A. Aubin