184th New York Infantry

Item LTR-6872

Description

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


Harrison’s Landing
October 21 [1864]

Dear Sister,

I received your letter of the 16th, was glad to hear from you. I am well and enjoying myself first rate. I have gained 17 pounds since I left home. I weigh 144 1/2pounds. I am on camp guard today. I have to stay to the guard house when not on post. It is not quite so pleasant as picket duty but we must take the bitter with the sweet you know. We are just doing the business right up now days. In the forenoon squad drill 9 o’clock, company drill 1 pm, 4 pm battalion drill, 5 dress parade. We have six companies here now so that I do not have to come on duty but one day in three. I must stop for the present for it is most time for me to go on duty. I have just returned from duty and swallowed my dinner. I had soup and hard tack it made a pretty good dinner. I expect to go out on extra picket one of the nights. It is to a place called the Westover House. There is six goes out there every night, one from each company volunteers. The object of this is to watch for deserters and an old n****r that rows them across. There is a bounty offered on his head of the same amount that we have already got and 30 days furlough to the man that will fetch him in dead or alive. But the trouble is they don’t know where he crosses the river, but if I can get out I shall try him or tell father that I have drawn everything even to rubber blanket and dress coat the former is a very necessary thing but the latter is something that the boys don’t need or want. But the officers would not take no for an answer. We must take them whether we wanted them or not. But I think they will find but a very few of them in the regiment if we are ever on a long march. I wrote to father on the 16th and also sent $10 Massachusetts’s money. It was only in one bill. Kiss L. for me, I would like to see her just one minute. Moll, I wrote to L. Birch when I was in Elmira. I wish you would find out whether she has got it or not and whether she has answered it. You know how to do it without letting her know that you know anything about it. Tell her that you have got a letter from me and in that way you can find out and tell me in your next. I must close now so good by for this time. Give my love to all inquiring friends.

From your affectionate brother,

Joel E. Parmenter