1st Vermont Cavalry

Item LTR-8763

Description

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


Philadelphia
February 13th 1862

Dear Mother,

I received your letter two or three days ago dated the 7th. Was very glad to hear from you. I know you feel very anxious to hear from me, as it has been some time since I have written to you. I hope you will excuse me for not writing before, as I know you will when I tell you that I have been very poorly since last you heard from me. I have not been able to sit up any for the last three weeks and I guess you are well aware of it by my writing. For my hand is trembling. So that I can scarcely write at all. But I feel that I must write you and let you know how I am.

Well, I feel as though I had been drawn through a knot hole, heels first and scraped the flesh all off from me.

I suppose you have received Mrs. Captain Horner’s letter which she wrote to you last week. She is one good woman. She calls me sonny and I call her Mother. For indeed she is a Mother to me and there is a great many more that seem very dear to me. They are so very kind. And how I can I pay them for their kindness towards me and my friends. That were left with me, money will not pay them. No money they do not want. So all I can do is to pray for them that they have their reward in heaven. In heaven alone where all is love. There be no more sorrow there. They deserve a great reward and I am sure they will have it.

You said in your letter that you supposed I had seen John Grout before this time. I am sure I have not seen him yet. I have not heard from him lately. I think he is in this city in one of the Government Hospitals. As I saw in the paper that they have cleared the hospital at Washington and sent them to this city to make room for the wounded. I think I shall be able to walk out a little in a few days and I shall go to every Government Hospital in the city, if he does not come here first.

You spoke of Mr. John Willard. Indeed, I have not seen him yet. You will be surprised when you hear that I have found some relation here. The last time I was out in the city, I saw an old man on the sidewalk. He seemed to be very much interested in looking at me. When I came along to him, he spoke very kindly to me and wanted to know where I was from. After telling him, he wanted to know if I knew a man in Brattleboro by the name of Spencer. I told him that I had seen him. After talking with him a spell, I told him who I was. He was very much pleased. He said he was brother to Uncle Asher’s wife. I suppose you will think we are not much related, but we think we are a good deal. He has been in to see me a great many times since. He is a nice man and not half as old as he looks to be. His name is Johnson. He has been sick so much that his hair has turned white. He brought his daughter in to see me the other day. She is a splendid looking lady (she is married though). But her husband is off to war. She invited me to come and see her as soon as I get able. And she would go round the city with me as she is better acquainted than I am. You must not be worried about me Mother. In the least, for indeed I am among friends and relations.

Those stockings and mittens that was sent to the boys are in my valise, which is packed in a large box at Burlington and went on to the regiment. I suppose it is there now. I have not heard anything from any of the boys yet. I guess those women will think I am not very good to carry things to the boys. But it is not my fault. I am afraid the weather will be so warm that the boys will not need them when I get there. I don’t know. But I shall have my things sent up here and then I can put them in a bundle and send them to them.

I received Mary’s letter the other day. Was very glad to hear from her. Tell her I am going to answer it soon. Tell Grandmother that strange things happen sometimes. I want she should save some small lumps of sugar for me. For she knows I am very fond of sugar. You say they have not commenced sugaring yet. Perhaps I shall be there in season to eat it hot.

You spoke about my sending Henry Cook’s note to you. I will send it soon if you think you can do anything with it. This letter is so big, that I can’t send it very well now.

I have written to my Captain to draw my pay for me. I don’t know but our regiment has left Annapolis. As I saw in the papers that they have had marching orders. I received the Times you sent me. Mr. Johnson has got the last one. He says it seems good to get hold of a Vermont paper, as he used to be acquainted there.

I should like very much to see the black-eyed girl that has the button. Tell her that I have the eye of the button on my coat now. Give my love to her and all other inquiring friends. Tell Ruth I have not forgotten her yet. I have not been able to write to anybody for some time. Give my love to Mr. Foster and tell him I often think of him. Remember this from your ever thoughtful and loving son,

S. A. Spencer