3rd & 23rd Massachusetts Infantry - Wounded at New Bern, NC

Item LTR-6104

Description

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

No. 19
Camp T. A. Andrew

January 4th 1862

To my own dear wife,

I received your letter dated January 1st, No. 16. It was a very good one but I think that you wrote a long letter on religion. I have no doubt that you thought it your duty to do so and you know that I always agree with you and especially what you think is your duty. You know that it pleases me to think that I have got a Christian wife. I am very much pleased to have you write just what you think you had ought too. Of course, you can’t expect me to write as you do on religion. But, shall take all advice from you as every good and true husband should from a loving and affectionate wife. We have been laid off to January 1st and I have sent by express today, $230 dollars to you by Adams Express. In your package you will find 3 letters. One to all at Stevens from Charles Stevens. You must give it to her. One to Mrs. May, Shawmont Avenue, which you must deliver to her. Also one to Sergeant Terry’s father. He or someone will call for it. The whole amount sent home by my company is over $3,000 dollars, which I think is doing well. All the men seem anxious to send home all they can. You must not be disappointed because I did not send more as my expenses are pretty large and I cannot pay Mr. Davis any from that. I shall write him and tell him I shall send his on the next payment ($71.75). My men are all in good spirits as they have gotten their pay. When you get it I want you to send me the amount of your bills you have to pay. I have paid the express. I have sent you a letter with $5 dollars in it and my small picture. Also one by Express with the large one. Also a box of shirts by Express. I want you to write immediately when you receive either of these.

Today is a light snow. The first we have seen and it looks like New England now. But has been pleasant ever since we were here. We are expecting every day to have orders to leave here. Just as sure as there is a chance for you to come where I am I shall send for you and Ida forthwith. I am in excellent health and spirits and I am so please to hear that you and Ida are in good health. I hope you may continue so. As you are my own darling and what is happiness to you is to me also. And I am ever thinking of what I can do to promote your happiness and welfare, as I prize you more and more everyday. When I think of the times when we had nothing to eat or wear and the patience that you had and the true love for me, I try to prize my dear wife and if I do anything that you do not like, or think out of the way you must tell me of it. As I shall do it ignorantly if I do. You must not mind what other folks say or do. You and I know each other and how we feel towards each and that is enough for us. If you have not enough to pay your bills, they will have to wait until next pay day. I see that the paper tries to make us sad all they can. When you get ready we shall and not before.

I am much pleased with Mr. Davis present of paper, pens, ink, pencils and above all the writing, cause it is just the home front article I have gotten. The company that Lieutenant Fuller is in at Fort Warren is Company E. And one at Newport News is Company E and my Company is E which makes three Company E’s from Plymouth. I don’t think any of them can beat my company sending home money.

There is no news to write. You get the news in the Boston papers before we do here. I hope Ida is a good girl. I suppose she learns very fast now. You must not make her study too much now. She is so young. It may hurt her. I am sure it will do her no good as she will learn fast enough by golly. I suppose she was tickled with her presents. I am please to hear she has a bank. I hope you will make her put in every cent and tell her that father will give her some of his to put in. You must get some new cents and give to her to put in and that will please her. I must close as the sheet is full. I hope to have your letters right along as I have received all of them. I shall write to W. Y. Lavery and W. T. Davis. So take good care of yourself.

From you own dear and affectionate and truly loving husband,

W. B. Alexander