16th New York Infantry

Item LTR-8537

Description

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


Camp King
Alexandria, Virginia

September 27th 1861

My Dear Niece,

I received your kind and welcome letter of the 22nd and was glad to hear from you all once more. I am well and enjoying good health. As I must say, I feel better now than I ever did before. And I hope these few lines will find you all the same. Our company has just come in from picket. We went out yesterday morning and I assure you Mary, we did not have very pleasant time. For it commenced to rain in the afternoon and still raining yet. Although, I must say, I had a very good post. I and three more chaps, our post was to guard and protect a Union family. We had all we wanted to eat and drink while we was there. The 24 hours we was out on the Leesburgh Road, very near as far as Bailey’s Crossing. We could see the enemy very plain on Munson Hill. I don’t think there is as many there now as there was two weeks ago. It is our opinion about here that they are falling back toward Manassas. And that they ought to fight here. Although we don’t all lay down with that expectation. We have one eye open for them and we are ready to receive them at any moment. And I assure you we will give them a warm reception. For the last four weeks all the troops about here has laid day and night with their arms along their side. To be ready in a moment’s call. And now probably before this reaches you, our bayonets, which glisten, will be stained with those traitor’s blood in whom has caused this great infernal bloodshed. Whom that has called us from our homes and firesides to uphold our country, the union and the stars and stripes. So I will say no more but three cheers for the red, white and blue.

Mary, I have not received no letter from Sarah since she went to New York. I have written to her but no answer. I am afraid she is sick or she would have answered. For she has always been punctual. Mary as you said in your letter, your Father said he thought I slighted him in one of those camp pictures. I tried to get more of them taken but I could not. Or I would have sent you one. Well, as I expect to go down town tomorrow, that is if it doesn’t rain, I will have my old mug taken and sent to you. So I hope you will except it. Although I don’t suppose you will know me. For I have not shaved, washed nor combed my hair since we left Albany. My head I keep shaved very close in consequence I might get in close quarters with a secesh.

Well Mary, I begin to think long to be with you all once more. And I do hope the war will soon come to a close. And that we may all return safely to our friends and homes and that peace may be proclaimed all over our land. And the stars and stripes may float all over our land.

I got a letter from home last night. They are all well. Mary, you and your mother must save me some of those berries you and her got this summer for this winter, when I come home. So don’t forget.



You must excuse this short letter. For I feel very sleepy. So no more my love and best respects to your Father, Mother and not forgetting yourself. Believe me to be your truly Uncle to Bull Run.

Theodore Curry

Miss M. E. Curry

Write soon and I the same.