91st New York Infantry

Item LTR-6705

Description

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


Fort McHenry
September 27th 1864

Father,

Your letter of the 11th came safe at hand. Moses House took the letter out of the office and sent it to me as soon as he heard where I was. I also received a letter from Mr. Tompkins. Theresa is alright, according to his letter. Bully for Theresa. They have drafted in Baltimore but they know enough better than to raise any riot. For there is 5 forts to play on them if they want to fight. There is two one hundred pound Columbians in this fort which points right on the city. But that is not all there are. Enough infantry to crush them in 4 hours after the first gun is fired. And do it in less time. I volunteered the 31st of August. Then got a furlough for six days. I then proceeded as you will see in the letter I sent to George. I arrived to the fort on the 16th of September and am here yet. We drill here now twice a day. Drill on the heavy guns in the afternoon. Drill two hours at a time. We are in the Eighth Army Corps, Company K, 91st Regiment New York Volunteers. Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Maryland. Now about my bounty. I get $1,000 bounty. I took a bond on Albany County of $600 and took the rest in money. I put the bond and $353 in the bank and have got House to see to it. It is where it is safe. The bond is not payable till March 1866 and if I am not there then to receive the pay, you can draw it without any trouble. I don’t think I shall come home until my time is out. Which will be September 11th 1865. Our time goes on from the time we sign the payroll. In regard to soldiering, I like it first rate. We have little to do and plenty to eat nights. We get our rations of bread for one day and at noon we get our rations of meat and in the morning we get coffee. So it is coffee for breakfast, soup and meat for dinner and bread and coffee for supper and we can buy anything we want by paying a good big price. I buy butter to eat with the bread. Which is 75 cents a pound or 40 cents for a half a pound. What are they paying for butter there? I could sell about one tub a week here for 70 cents a pound, coming down 4 cents lower than the sutlers. And better butter would draw the customers right away from them. But if you want to send any, you had better not send any until colder weather comes. Write to me and tell me about the state of things. No more at present. But remain your friend.

Address your letter to:

David Augsbury
Company K
91 Regiment New York Volunteers
Fort McHenry
Baltimore, Maryland