44th & 25th New York Infantry

Item LTR-6787

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 3 pages written in period ink.


In Camp
44th Regiment N. Y. Vols
March 9, 1862

Dear Girl,

Your note of the 4th inst. Reached me this evening. I didn’t only feel pleased to hear from you but smiled with joy to think you dared once more write me.

It is near midnight and as I cannot come and see you in person, as it is my highest wishes to. I will chat with you on paper. You may think me over anxious to write immediately after receiving yours (and in no little degree I am) but time will not permit me to do so again this week and for naught I can tell perhaps never again.

We go tomorrow morning on a grand reconnaissance towards Manassas. General McClellan is here in person and has issued orders to move. We take nothing along but one blanket and four days rations, after which we return to our camp if spared to live. There is no humbug this time, we will go and offer battle.

A large army will move of many thousands, accompanied by some of the heaviest cannons. If permitted to return I will write you a letter immediately. I wish you would write to me often as I love to hear from you. Enclosed I send a few stamps asking you to accept them. I stand by the principal of paying postage of a correspondent if it is a lady that I have learned to love.

I am under the impression that my pen shows more esteem towards you than yours does to me. If I thus ere don’t fail to be frank in your correspondence.

Write to me often while in the army and I will respond. If this should prove the last note my pen shall ever pen unto you, rest assured it comes from one that wishes you all the pleasure this world can afford.

Remember me to your Pa and Ma.
I remain with due regard, your army correspondent.

J. G. Vanderzee
44th Regiment, NY Vols
Washington
DC

P.S. By a new order we go at 2 a.m. in about one hour
J. G. Vanderzee