14th Missouri Infantry & 66th Illinois Infantry

Item LTR-5818

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 4 pages written in period ink.

Headquarters, Department of the Missouri
St. Louis, MO

February 4th 1865

Dear Emeline,

It has been some times since I have heard from you. And as you do not seem inclined to write, I will. I suppose, however, you hear from me quite often. This does not altogether annul the duty I owe to a dearly loved sister. And as a consequence shall let you hear from me once in a while. I am enjoying tolerable health. Have plenty of work to keep me out of mischief and live better than I have since Uncle Sam employed me. I have just finished a good day’s work (5 p.m.) and thought I could not make anything pay better than write you. If I can succeed in staying here I shall be alright. I am altogether employed on work of the Generals. Some of it requiring quite an amount of patience and attention, mingled with knowledge and secrecy. My General Jno. Pope assumed command of the Military Division of the Missouri, composed of the Department of Kansas, Department of the Missouri, and the Department of the Northwest. Our Department of the Missouri formerly belonged to General Canby’s command. General Pope is the finest looking officer I have yet seen in the service. The Peace Question seems to agitate the public mind considerably and I should not be surprised if peace be declared inside of six months. As the bottom seems almost ready to fall out of the Confederacy. The weather is mild, day before yesterday it rained all day. And people here prophesize an early spring as the river is open to Cairo, IL. When you write tell Edwin to write some in the letter. For him to give me some of the news up in Sheffield, like how the coal bank works. When you see Louisa and her family give them my love. Perhaps if I have time I will write her the coming week. I hope William will not go back to California again. Give my love to all the friends and with much love to yourself, Edwin and the children.

I remain affectionately yours,

Henry P. Humphreys

Write often.