Maryland's Purnell's Legion

Item LTR-604

Description

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


Company J, Purnell Legion
East Ville, VA

Monday morning, 3 o’clock
March 10th 1862

Dear Sister Maggie,

Well, at this late hour of the night, one early in the morning, I have just finished a letter to cousin and am going to write you. This leaves me tolerably well, with the exception of cold. You will learn by this that our Regiment is still here. Don’t know how soon we may leave. Expect to leave as soon as he can get a way to go. Cannot tell where we are going. I hear though to Baltimore. I want to hear from you all at home right badly. Haven’t heard for a week tonight. If I don’t get a letter and the boots before leaving East Ville I don’t know when I shall hear. Yesterday morning I went to the Episcopal Church. The minister did not pray for the President and all other in authority. There has been pretty strong talk of arresting him. Am glad they have not done it. And hope they will not.

Yesterday afternoon he had a general surgeon’s inspection by the Brigade Surgeon. Said we were the finest looking regiment he had ever seen. Quite a compliment to us boys. Let me give you an idea of a Sunday morning inspection. First, the men are drawn up in line. Guns and everything has to be clean or you are put out of lines. Knapsacks are examined; see if they are packed properly. An officer comes along the line, makes you unbutton your coat, see if you have clean shirts on, roll up your pants to see if drawers and socks are clean. Every man must be clean. Shoes blacken, head combed slick or he can’t pass. It would look right funny to you to see the men with their bosoms opened, pants rolled up to their knees and it did to me the first time I saw it. And many other things too. But I have become accustomed to such foolishness. We all have got on new clothes, sky blue pants, and look right nice and approve you. Though I heartily wish I could never see another soldier as long as I live. When I get citizens clothes on again I think I shall keep them on the balance of my days. I haven’t a spark of news to tell you. We are in a bustle now, getting ready to move. Hope it will be our last time of marching, whilst we are in service. How are you getting a long dear sister. Are you happy in serving the Lord? Do not neglect in a single prayer to pray for your brother. Now is the time I need all the prayers that are being offered for me. I do pray with all the earnestness I am capable not only for myself but all I love. And do trust that God will in mercy hear and answer my weak and sinful prayers. I have a hard time of it, but do try and do by God’s help get along. Much better than I deserve. Rather than deserve the heart of God’s blessing, I deserve his wrath. But he bears with me and I trust has my name with yours and all he loves recorded in the Lambs Book of Life. If he never more should meet on earth I hope and pray he may meet in Heaven where parting is not known. But every lasting peace and bliss with our Savior. How are you progressing in your Bible lessons? Hope you and Annie may both be spiritually benefitted by them. How are the prayer meetings attended? Are there any young men that go? Hope so. How I would like to be at home and make one more number in those meetings. When you write to Edna Walter remember my regards. Tell her I am glad she is partial to brass buttons. Maybe I can see her some of these days with them on her. How are the Misses Brittinghams and Mr. Stayton flourishing? When is Hillary and Miss Collier to be married? Would like to be at the wedding. Don’t know that I shall ever go to another wedding until I make one myself which to present appearances will never be made. Has Father invited your company out of the parlor yet. Hope he will not if you have the right kind of company. Don’t write until I write home again. Then I want you and all that owes me letters to pay me immediately. With much love to Father, Mother, Sisters and Brothers I close. May heaven’s riches and blessing rest upon and abide with you is the earnest prayer of your Brother,

Henry

N. B. Love to Aunt Patty and girls and all friends.