6th New Hampshire Infantry

Item LTR-8081

Description

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


Washington
January 15th 1862

My Dear, Dear Wife,

What can I say to you tonight. I received your letter dated the 7th today and I tell you it makes me feel bad to have you think that I was a going to leave you and my baby. Abby, what made you think of such a thing. Never entered my heart. Let the folks talk what they want about it. I will never let anything separate me from you nothing but death ne’er will. But Abby that letter I got the other day was the hardest that I ever got in my life. It makes me feel very bad and I haven’t got over it yet. I was very worried to hear that you was a suffering. Abby, dear, I will bear all to send you all my pay. I don’t know what I shall guess when I send happy dreams to you dear one to brighten.

I started from Pennsylvania a week ago tomorrow morning. For when I got to Baltimore I was detained there all night on account of getting my pass signed. I stopped at the Volunteers refreshment saloon. It did not cost me anything. The next morning I went on to Washington. Got there at 10 and went to find my regiment. Went to the War Department and found the Regiment was gone on the Burnside Expedition. What for I did not know. But I got a pass to go to Annapolis, just to the Annapolis garrison. I had to shift cars on the platform and met Lieutenant Mars. He is a lieutenant in Company I in our Regiment. I was acquainted with him in barracks and have boarded with him when I was put on the River. He was detailed to look after all the sick that was left behind. He said that our first lieutenant in Company B was very sick in Washington and wanted me to go back to take care of him. I did and found him very sick. He is better now. He had the measles and then took cold. We are with a private family. It is a good boarding place. We are within a stone’s throw of the Capital. You will excuse me dear one for not writing a long letter for I am very tired. I have been on the troop all day to get my pay and the lieutenant’s. And have got it. I call it good that I got it. Take note that if I send it, it would be to Mr. Smith. I would send it to you there but I cannot tell when I will send it. Or maybe I will send it so you can get it when you go home. If it gets there soon. I shall send 20 dollars to him for you by the Express. I shall put it in next Monday and it should get to Plymouth by Monday. Twenty dollars was my pay this time and I send it all to you.

Forgive me for not writing a longer letter to you. The one you got from P. Grate five letters to you. When I was there and sent one to you and you got it. I know it was a short letter. I did write one the day before and I guess it was a good one but Dear I know you will forgive me, won’t you? I will write more Monday to you. Now I want you to keep that money and make yourself an outfit with it and not pay my debts with it, won’t you?


Dear one, I must bid you good bye. Write as soon as you get the for it is late. I have got one letter from you.

D. A. Dearborn

Direct to David A. Dearborn
Washington DC

Dear Wife a kiss for you. Good bye