35th Pennsylvania Infantry & 1st New York Veteran Cavalry

Item LTR-6286

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 3 pages written in period ink.

February the 27th 1863
Camp near Fairfax Court House
About 16 miles from Washington, DC

Dear Sister Sarah,

I once more seat myself to write you a few lines. But sister, I shall have to ask in the start to be forgiven for not writing to you before this late hour and hope that you will not think that I have forgotten my dear friends. For it is to the reverse. The reason that we have not written before is the weather has been so cold and wet that we could not leave the campfire long enough to sleep.

Well sister, we are both well with the exception of bad colds and two frozen feet to carry around with me. I will tell you how that happened. I went to bed one cold night and got to sleep. When I awoke my feet were frozen. Somewhat stiff but that hadn’t nothing for a soldier. We have just sent out a scouting party about 3 or 4 miles from our camp. The cavalry bothers us some here but we make them quite. We fetched in 7 this morning and a good big Nig. We have pretty good times here and shall have better after the mud dries up. The night has overtaken me and I will finish this tomorrow. So good night.

Saturday morning, February the 28th

Sister, I once more seat myself to finish this dry note. We have just been out and been mustered. So you will see we will soon have some change. Sister, it has been so long since I have written a letter that I can’t think of a thing to write. We have not heard from home in a long time and begin o want to hear from home.

I suppose that the conscript law rules the north. But thank God that I have no more brothers or father that comes under that head. For I don’t want no more of my relations to undergo the hardships of a soldier life. Nor to help free the Nigs. Sister, you may think that I am tired of soldiering. I am. I am tired of soldiering for the cause you know as well as I and shall guide us down the path that is honorable.

I shall have to close this soon. For my fingers are rather cold. Ed say he will write soon and I shall never let it go so long again. Write soon. Give my love to all the folks. Kiss Aunt Pat and the baby and here is one for you.

From your Brother,

Bull Brigham

Excuse all mistakes. Write soon.