35th New York Infantry

Item LTR-7918

Description

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


Falls Church, Virginia
January 28th 1862

Dear Mother,
It is a week ago last night since I received or wrote a letter to you for I must confess I have been rather negligent.
I have been down to Alexandria today. I was into the Marshall House where Colonel Ellsworth was killed. The flag that he had put up on the fatal day still floats over the house but it is much faded and the end is all fringed from whipping so much. The floor where Ellsworth bled has been all torn to pieces by the soldiers to send pieces of to friends etc.. The stairs on which he was shot are also all torn down and no pieces of them are to be found. I also saw the place in the wall where the ball lodged after it had passed through his body. There is a guard at the door who will not let anyone carry anything off as well.

I have been watching and waiting anxiously for a letter to find out whether Father got that order that I sent to him to get the money but I thought I would write, letter or no letter. I got a letter from Jane and Roxy last evening. Well, as the chaplain was gone last Sabbath, we got together in his tent a few of us and had a prayer meeting and then in the evening we met in Myron Herrington’s tent and had a bible class which lasted until 9 o’clock and closed with a prayer from Brother Bates.
Well, we have at last got our rifles and they are good ones. I have not got my boots yet. The weather is quite muddy and disagreeable. Well, I begin to wish this was over for I would like to get home once more where there is some society and some music besides the drums and the band. I want to hear the music of my little brother’s voice and a variety of other kinds—even the animals voices would be a variety to me. But still I am not homesick nor do I want to come home for if there is a battle in this vicinity, I want a hand share.
I will send you a picture of our brigadier general. It looks very natural. It cost me five cents. But I must close so good evening from your son,

Mr. Stephen W. Lowe

To his Mother, Mrs. Celestine Lowe, Limerick, New York