15th Maine Infantry

Item LTR-6140

Description

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

DeCros [Decrows] Point , Texas
Feb 21st 1864

My Dear Abbie,

It is Sunday in the afternoon. There is no Divine Services until after dress parade this evening for the reason that it is too warm at two o’clock to sit out of doors in the sun an hour. This would appear queer to y’all, its being too warm to stay out of doors in the month of February, but it is not to us. Well, as it is Sunday and there is not service until late, I will write a few lines to you which I hope you will be pleased to call a letter, for I have not much to write.

We have received no mail since I wrote before and there is nothing going on here at all. We are in the same place as when I last wrote altho we are expecting to move every day.

My health at present is as good as usual and all is going along tolerable well for the army. We have not been mustered yet as veterans, although we are all ready and are waiting for the mustering officer. We may not get mustered before we get to New Orleans. I suppose that you are looking for us home pretty soon. Well, I am in hopes we shall get started before long. I wish I could start today. The sooner the better if it was not for the cold weather when we get there but the idea of going from this climate into a snow drift is not so pleasant to think about and we feel quite willing to wait awhile and have a warmer month and a pleasanter time. I hope that we shall not have to come back again and if all we hear is true, the “war” is about at an end. The Spring Campaign must close it up and veterans or no veterans, we shall all be at home within one year from this time.

But I must close soon. We shall probably move in a day or two and after we get somewhere and get settled, I will write you a good long letter and perhaps I will come and bring it. So you will please excuse my briefness this time. The chaplain just came for me to go to his tent and sing so I suppose I must go. Give my respects to all etc. Accept my best love for a good day. From your affectionate friend, - T. H. Wentworth.

[to] A. E. Wheeler