8th Connecticut Infantry

Item LTR-7114

Description

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

Newbern, NC
June 6, 1862

My Dear Wife,

I thought I would drop you a few lines to let you know that I am well and hope you are the same. There is no news here but as there was a Steamer going out I thought I would drop you a few lines. It is very warm here and it makes me feel dull. I sent you an order to get my ten dollars bounty. You will get it before you get this. You can get the money at the bank. If they won’t pay you then you can go to Amos Pointier and he will get it for you and you may use all of the money you need. It is too bad that you have to be broke off your rest. I hope you won’t get sick by the measles. I wrote to you that I would send you my order in the next letter but I can’t get it yet for it is not due and they won’t pay it until the 21st of September and I hope I shall be at home by that time. I am satisfied with the south. Although I enjoy good health. I will send you 20 dollars in this letter and I hope you will get it. I sent you a letter with some Fig leafs in it. Let me know if you got it. One of the leafs was for Kate. You spoke of putting the money in the Bank. I think it is a good plan but you must keep enough out to make yourself comfortable. I hope you will not go without anything that you need. I hope we shall have enough to buy that house you spoke of. If you like it I am willing to buy it. I hope we shall be able. I wish I was there now. There has not been a fight at Richmond yet as I know of. I wish they would take it and send us home. We have got beans for dinner. They are not such beans as I got at home. I would like to have some of your baked beans for my supper but I can not yet then so I will go without until I come home. Joe Fletcher had a box sent him. He had sack and wine and all sorts of things. He gave us all some of them. They was good. He had a box of cigars. He gave me one of them every day. John is well and is fat as a hog. Some of the boys think that we shall go on a march. We may and we may not, I can’t tell. The First Brigade in the First Division is going in a day or two, but I don’t think we will go right away but can’t tell. I don’t think there is many rebel troops in this state. I think they are at Richmond but still there may be a good many but I don’t think they will ever whip us. They will have to fight harder than they ever did yet. There is no more news here. I will send you a twig of a Cypress tree and 20 dollars in this letter. That is all. Tell Genie that I look at her lock of hair every day and your likeness too. I would not take a farm for it. I will close now by bidding you good bye from your affectionate Husband

John M. Marrarty
Love to all.