66th New York Infantry

Item LTR-6818

Description

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


Camp 66th New York Volunteers
Near Falmouth, Virginia

March 3rd 1863

Dear Friend,

Yours of the 22nd arrived in due season and glad was I to hear you were having such fine times. Would that I could have spent some of my past years where you are now passing so many happy moments. I am enjoying good health and trying to make myself believe that I like camp life in Old Virginia. Our weather at present is very marchy. So much so that I can hardly write in my tent. The wind is blowing so hard. Our mud is drying up very fast and if we do not have too much rain in the future, will tend toward an early move. General Hooker has been granting leaves of absence. I should very much like to get one. But as I am a junior officer in the regiment, will have to wait for others. And then I am afraid the order will be countermanded. Yet so long as I hear of their being well at home, I am content. I received a letter from your father last week saying they were all well and spoke about your Uncle William being elected supervisor. When you and Lib make your visit to Mary’s, tell her I have postponed mine until some future time. but I wish you all a happy time and my best respects to all.

I have not heard from Leslie in quite a while. They will soon be on the move. I presume as they are a new full regiment. I trust the next campaign will finish up this terrible war and that we may then return to our dear and happy homes. If you visit the 153rd, I don’t want you to forget the Army of the Potomac. The 115th are again in trouble. Really they are a very unfortunate regiment. I wish Gar was out of it. Dr. Hickok is rather careful of his bolls. You speak of Washington’s birthday. We had a very severe snow storm here that day. Yet it did not prevent our boys and the rebs too from firing guns in honor.

Talk about the boys drinking whiskey. I have seen more liquor drank since I have been in this camp than I ever want to see drank again. I came into the army a sober man and shall endeavor to go out that way if I possibly can.

I received a box from home yesterday containing a fine lot of luxuries. So many good things that it seemed almost like a dream. I can live on hard tack and molasses but it is the love of country and nothing else that causes me to do it. The names of Gottschalk, Patti, etc. makes one think there is yet an outside world of amusement. Yet I am afraid it will be a long while before we poor soldier boys can enjoy it. Write me in your next all about your visit.

I am your friend,


A. VanDerveer

Please write often and if you hear of the army’s moving, I will get all letters directed to this regiment vice Washington, DC.