16th New York Infantry

Item LTR-8538

Description

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


Headquarters, Alexandria, Virginia
Camp King

November 29th 1861

Dear Brother,

You must excuse me for not writing before this. But as I have been under the weather for some time past, I have not wrote to anybody but now. I am all right again. I will be punctual in writing to you. We are still in the same place. But how long, I am unable to say. But I think it is almost time they should put us in winter quarters or else fix up where we are now. But I think McClellan is going soon to make a move. And I think toward Old Bull Run will be his first attack. The Rebel’s Army are still there waiting to receive us. Well Dave, I think if we ever do go there that the outcome back as we did before. Nor would we then if we had the man that we have now.

I had a letter from Other today. They are all well. She was telling me that you and Priscilla and Mary E was all up to Jimmy’s funeral and all about it. Well Dave, that another of our brothers gone to his resting place. And probably it will not be long till you and I may follow him. Well I hope he is now better off than here in this troubled world. I suppose you have had plenty of snow there this fall. There has been one little snow storm here this season. That was last Sunday night. But it soon went off the next morning when the sun came out. Yesterday was Thanksgiving Day. And I suppose Dan, you and Priscilla and Mary E. partook of a good dinner after coming home from hearing a good sermon. Such as a goose, turkey or a good fat duck? Well Dave, I assure you that I was not choked on any of those fowl’s bones. There was no drilling done about here in the state of New York Volunteers. In the forenoon, our minister preached a find sermon to us. We was then told by our Colonel that this day, he hoped we all would keep this day as a day of thanks and holy. So yesterday was passed off as a Sunday amongst us. The weather has been very stormy for some time past. Well Dave, we must now expect for two or three months such weather. Well, I am provided for cold and stormy weather. I have our tent dug out and a nice fireplace in it. And it is just as comfortable as can be. Most all of the tents are finished. Wood is plenty about here and all we have to do is get it.

I sent you a paper last week. In it you will see about the review that took place here. Well Dave, as I have got two more letters to write tonight, I will have to cut yours short. Hoping these few lines will find you, Priscilla and Mary E. all in good health as it leaves me. Believe me to be your truly brother till death.

Theodore Curry

Write soon and I the same.