39th Pennsylvania Infantry - Killed at Fredericksburg

Item LTR-8613

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 2 pages, written in period ink.


Camp Tennally
September 20th 1861

My Dear Sister,

I received a letter from Joanna yesterday and she appears to think that I have been deceiving you all in regard to my health. Now I have heard various accounts of the ridiculous tales circulating through the county about my being dead or lying at the point of death, etc. Now let me assure you that I am neither dead nor dying, but in excellent health, running about the camp and enjoying myself generally. True, I am a little weak yet, but in a week I expect to shoulder my musket and report myself ready for duty. Why I was discharged from the hospital nearly a week ago, and have been improving in strength ever since. If I had ever been so sick as to be in danger of death, I would most assuredly have applied for an honorable discharge and returned home.

Now I hope you will not give yourself any more uneasiness on account of my health. For I think I ought to know about as much about it as anybody else and what I have written concerning it is the sacred, honest, truth. There are some members of our company who manufacture their own news when they have nothing else to write. For instance I hear there is a rumor afloat that there is only a corn patch between our regiment and the rebels. Well I know there is a corn patch between us and there may be fifty, but the distance is certainly three or four miles. Besides this, the Potomac River and any amount of hills, woods, bluffs, etc., are between us. Now you see how much reliance can be placed on these sensation stories.

When I write a letter I confine myself strictly to the truth, and when I have nothing of an exciting nature to communicate, I do not originate it out of my own imagination. I hope you will be satisfied that I have been telling you the truth and fell no more apprehensions on my account. I would like to have a letter from you if possible. I’ll have to close as the mail boy is coming to get the letters, to take them to the city and mail them. Give my warmest love to Mother and believe me your devoted brother.

M. C. Lowry