88th Pennsylvania Infantry

Item LTR-6759

Description

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


Cameron Light Guards
Fort Ellsworth
January 11, 1862


Dear Charlotte,

We are still in the land of the living and all well and the reason why I did not write sooner was on account of not receive our pay from the government. The pay rolls were all made out wrong but they have since been altered and I think we will get our pay by Tuesday or Wednesday and I shall send it home with Isaac Anderson, and by this day a week, you will have it in your hands. I had intended to come home but there are five or six ahead of me. The men they all have to take their turn. The same as they are on the Ohio River route. When I do come home Isaac and myself will come together by the first of March. We have some dreadful muddy weather here at present. I was compelled to buy myself a pair of boots and a pair of gloves. The boots and gloves cost me 100 dollars. I will send with Hiram my likeness and seventeen dollars. Joel, Frank and Fitzwater were here in our camp day before yesterday. I believe they all saw them but John Weber and myself. We had just started away on guard duty and when P. came off of duty at one o’clock I then went in turn to see them but they had gone. I should like to seen them very much. Give my best respects to John Trout and tell him to go and get me some pile root over in Harman woods. When Anderson comes and he will bring it along and likewise my shirt that you made for me. Don’t you be so foolish as to pay your money to that old Calwell. For there has been a law passed that they can’t throw no person out of a house for the rent. Try and control yourself. I have been talking to Anderson about that town George Robinson lives. He says that he will write no more about it. When he gets home. We still have plenty to eat and drink. We have a good deal of duty to perform. If we had no duty to do whatever would all be so easy that we could not get along.

I must bring my letter to a close. Give my best respects to all inquiring friends and tell them that we are all in the prime of life.

My love to you, to Samuel, Baby Charley, April and my little Jimmy Boy I have not forgot you yet.

I remain your true husband which I have you constantly on my mind but I think the time will soon arrive when we will all be together once more. Don’t make yourself worry about me Charlotte Otto.

Wm. W. Otto