39th New Jersey Infantry

Item LTR-6978

Description

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


Miss Emma Duril
New Providence, NJ

Respected Miss,

I sincerely hope you will pardon the impertinence of an entire stranger in this addressing you.

It is my fashionable in the Army to advertise for correspondents, but this I am opposed for the reason that in so doing one is apt to form the acquaintance of those whose characters will not stand a very close examination.

I deem it unnecessary to state from whom I obtained your address suffice it to say, that it was given me by one well acquainted with both parties, and one whose friendship I prize very highly.

My only object in requesting a correspondence is to add to other means I already have of pleasant and profitable employment in writing to the friends of “the boy in blue” in the north.

If you do conclude to become one of my regular correspondents, I canno promise much in the way of interesting letters from me. But rest assured it shall be my aim always to write in such a manner that neither will regret the step in in the future.

Permit me to say that I have already heard you mentioned so often that I do not feel as though we mere utter strangers.

But I will close, fearing to tire your patience by subscribing my true name.

Very Respectfully,
Your obedient Servant,

J. Lewis Pierson

Address:

Headquarters, 2nd Division, 9th Army Corps
Via Washington DC