26th New York Infantry - Wounded at 2nd Bull Run

Item LTR-6426

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 4 pages written in period ink. Hughes served in the 26th NY Infantry and the 24th NY Cavalry. He was wounded at 2nd Bull Run and captured at Poplar Grove Church, VA.

Fort Lyon, Va
April 8, 1862

Dear Sister,

I received your letter in due time and I was very glad to hear from you. I have nothing new of any importance to write in regard to this war – no more than you hear in the paper. We went down last week to Occoquan about 11 miles from here to drive the Rebels from there and they left about five hours before we got there. If they had stayed there until we got there, we would [have] showed them what the Yankee Boy could do. We can whip them five to one. We was gone 4 days. All we had to eat was hard bread and the morning before we started for home, our breakfast was two hard crackers and a fish that we caught before we started.

Tommy thought that was war time but he stood it well. I did not care because I was used to it. Perhaps Tommy wrote about it but he may not tell you the whole because I plagued him about it, saying that he run when we was shot at, at night. But he was brave. He stood his ground. It was in the night when we was shot at out of the woods but they did not hit us. We could [not] see anyone. I wish they had showed themselves. We would have had some fun with them. The Rebels shot three of our men the night before. We will show them Yankee Trickery.

Sarah, you spoke about that money but we ain’t received no pay in four months and we won’t until the first of March and then we will get four month’s pay. Now and then I will send it to you without fail and you must try and get along until then. I would send it now but I ain’t got it. I tried to get what I have lent but they have not got [it either]. But I will send it the first of May and my likeness with it. I would send it now but I have no money.

Tell Amelia I will send her some earrings and a finger ring after pay day. Tell her I will send her little money so she can send me her likeness and I want you to send your likeness too, Sarah.

I have no more to write at present. Give my love to Bill and also to yourself. So goodbye.

Yours truly,
John H. Hughes
Company C
Colonel Christian’s 26th Regiment, New York Volunteers
Alexandria, VA

One word more. Please write soon. I would send you a stamp but I have not any.