158th Pennsylvania Infantry

Item LTR-6724

Description

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

Camp McClure [PA]
November 26th 1862

Dear Mary,

It is with the greatest pleasure I take my pen in hand to write to you once more to let you know that I am well at present. I hope these few lines may find you all enjoying the same blessing. It was with the greatest pleasure I received of the 23rd and was pleased to hear from you and your request of me coming down next Friday. Oh, I would like so well to come if I can. But my dear friend, it is hard to get away. They say that the men must be brought in before they will give any furloughs and to break guard. They put then in the guard house or make them stand guard three days and then they want to send them to old regiments if they run away. Now my dear friend. I hope you will excuse me if I don’t get down this week. But if I can get away, I will come. You may be sure of that. But I don’t want to be sent away from you.

Last night I was up from 11 o’clock. We had two prisoners in the guard house and I had to take the guards out every two hours. And I did not get any sleep. But words cannot express my thoughts about you as I laid awake in my tent. And I hope the day may speedily come when we will all be home.

There were two of our companies sent to Gettysburg yesterday morning.

For this time, I must bring my letter to a close. For I am writing on the ground in the tent. Give my love to all and excuse my bad writing and spelling. Write soon again.

From your friend,

Samuel Humer

To Miss Mary C. Maury

My dearest Mary. Goodbye. May God bless, protect and care for you is my prayer. If I can come, I will. But I will come as soon as I can.