47th Massachusetts Infantry & 2nd Louisiana Infantry

Item LTR-6507

Description

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


United States Barracks
New Orleans, January 15, 1863

My own darling Wife and little Etta girl,

I wrote you yesterday and as I had an opportunity to send you some money per Adams & Company Express, I enclosed the letter I had written, so this short letter is merely to inform you that I sent the $30, and have taken the receipt for it. It is also insured, which you will be obliged to pay at that end. We received 39 dollars & 85 cents. I sent you $30, and owed here 11dollars, which leaves me still in dept over one dollar. I have done the best I could possibly do darling under circumstances, and shall always as long as I am in the service. I know it is small, but I have got into the damn harness and have got to stay in I suppose. God knowns I wish my time was up. I had rather be sawing wood than be in such a cursed mixed up mess.

We came back to these barracks yesterday, and have taken quarters formerly occupied by the 30th Regiment, they having gone up the river to Baton Rouge. Ours is the only regiment here except a few companies of Texan Rangers who are recruiting a regiment. I don’t know where we will go next, but guess we have got about to the end of our journey. I don’t believe we shall ever go into a fight if Colonel Marsh can prevent it. He heard a gun yesterday and came very near peeing his trousers.

O what a celebrated Massachusetts regiment I am engaged with. We are by new orders yesterday to appear in future on dress parade in white gloves and highly polished boots. One thing damn certain, they will have to find me in blacking if my boots are polished. This comes the nearest to damn nonsense that I have seen yet. You would think we were in Boston Common if you should see us. However, I won’t talk too much, as we may see some rough times to make up for it and to punish me for talking. I notice I do generally get my pay for anything I do wrong and take it for granted that it is all right. I thought yesterday when that curse was paying us off, that I would like to be alone with the pile of money he had s short time.

Have you seen Charley Tileston yet since I left? I hope he has seen your father, as he tried to in New York. I believe he knew him in San Francisco. If you know anybody coming out here, send them to see me. Most anybody will find out bye and bye where the gallant and brave Massachusetts 47th are quartered for the campaign, unless sooner discharged. What the devil we ever came out here for is more than I have ever been able to find out, unless it is to eat up the victuals cooked for us. We are all growing fat and saucy as you can imagine.

The steamer was due here on Tuesday last and I hope she will be here soon with news from home. I trust you and my own darling little Etta are first rate, and will continue so until I come home; also Father and Mother and all the rest of the folks.

I believe now I will heave around the city and see the fashions. If I see anything pretty I will write you, but I don’t believe I shall, as there does not appear to be much business going on in this vicinity at present. All people do here is to eat and drink. Kiss my little beauty a thousand times, and tell her to take good care of her mother.


From you affectionate husband,
Henry