85th New York Infantry - Died at Andersonville (2 Letters)

Item LTR-5994

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letters.
Letter #1 is 2 pages written in period ink.


Camp Suffolk Nov 16th [1862]


Dear Sister Myra,

Yours of the 9th is at hand and finds me well. There is not much in the way of news at present. Last week Wednesday there was a grand review of all the troops around here by General Dix and it was a grand sight to see the almost endless lines of men, the uneasy neighing of horses, the artillery galloping along, followed by the saucy looking guns that look as though they were not made to play with. When the General was announced, they fired the National salute of 13 guns and it seemed to awaken the men and horses with the thoughts of old times. But the firey horses stood in the midst of the smoke and never flinched, seemingly proud of their position. The General is a middle aged man and does not act as though he felt himself better than men in common.

The weather is usually fine. We have had one snow storm and there is another storm a brewing. So you are not much ahead in that line and our corn is all husked and the potatoes dug, and have got the house banked too. But that will not save the Union and I begin to think it will be a hard matter to save the poor thing anyway. But I suppose that Mr. Seymour will bring things around all right and save the Union if it is not too far gone. What a pity it is that some of the Union saving men were not hung long ago, but matters are under a new head and I hope things will take a different turn soon. How do the folks in general like the election and did they get much excited? Abrams folks seem to be getting many in the land and waxing strong. It must be a goodly land.

You say that you have not seen Nate in some time. I have not heard from him in the way of a letter but once since last spring. Have you got acquainted with Ema and how do you like her?
Wrote once while you were at Cossorts.

I received a letter from Tip the same night yours arrived. He is at Yorktown and is well last week. Aunt Eliza sent me a paper and I must answer it today with a letter, so you must not find fault if this is not very long for pens is scarce here and Tip’s is answered. You say you wish you had the management of the war a spell. You would hang them all, wouldn’t you? Catch them first. Most anyone would do that for them if they could catch them.

Tell Willie that I have not heard from him in some time and would like to have him let me know what is going on and whether Jack is a good dog and how the old cat gets along and how does Sissy’s little kitten get along and does Susan’s pig fat as fast as Father’s and how much does she earn for picking up potatoes. Tell Father my boots are just old wheat. Four pairs of new boots come with the company last night from Bristol. But I must close. Write soon and remember your soldier brother, A. H. B.


Letter #2 is 3 pages written in period pencil.

Washington D. C.
Camp Warren
January 10, 1862

Dear Sister Myra,

I received your kind letter of the 8th and was very glad to hear that you were well and hope these few lines may find you the same. I am as well as usual and have been in good health ever since I have been here. We have got our tent fixed now so we are as comfortable as we can be at home although it is rather muddy out of doors. I think that you have rather a wrong idea of our part of the south, and so I will try and give you a right idea about the oysters. We can get them by giving 40 cents per quart & for the oranges, I have not seen any here – any of Uncle Sam’s money either.

About the weather. I guess we have had about as cold weather for a week or two as you have had. We have had 2 inches of snow and the ground was frozen 6 inches and today the mud is about as deep but all we have to do is to lie in the tent and so I guess I shall live through it for awhile yet.

I am much obliged to you for the stamps. They come in the right time and I have 5 letters to answer today and this is the first one. You say Gust sends 1 letter per week. Did you hear how often she wrote? Don’t I write as often as you do? So you need [not] pitch onto me in that style. I agree with you in wishing that I had a rib, but you must save me a chunk of side pork until I come home and see how old it will be. I think I shall be at home for good in 6 months but I may be mistaken in thinking so. But I hope another New Year will not find me in the army.

You speak of slaves. There is no such thing as a slave but you must excuse my pencil and write soon. From your ever thoughtful brother – A. H. B.

And a Happy New Year to all of you and respects to all. Tell Father I haven’t any more dreams lately.