19th Wisconsin Infantry

Item LTR-8892

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 3 pages, written in period ink.


New Bern, NC
October 31st 1863

Dear Cousin,

I received your welcomed letter this afternoon and was very glad to hear from you. We have come a good way since you heard from me. I have been on the Ocean Brig. We had a nice time coming round Cape Hatteras. The water was very smooth and calm. I had the agony and fever eight times since I’ve come here. It makes me a poor and weak as if I had it a month. Up north we are in barracks and they are a good deal better than tents to stay in this winter. We are about a mile from the city. We have a nice place here and I don’t care how long we stay here. Our duty is mostly picket and a little camp guard. We do not get the mail very regularly here and you must not blame me if you do not get your letters as regularly as before. As your letter was twelve days coming to me. I am very sorry to hear that Willard is sick and hope he will be well soon. Aunt Elizabeth wrote to me that Alice has been sick. You tell her to get well fast so to answer my letter that will be poking around there in a few days.

I come very near enlisting again for three years more after my time is up in this regiment and I do not but I will yet. Do you not think I had better tell Dave if he don’t write to me I will be after him like a thousand of brick. Bully for Dave if he beat the boys a shooting at the mark. Tell him to keep on until I get back there if I live to get out of the service and I will try him a hack. Milk is twenty cents a quart here and half water at that. I wish I had some good milk to drink now. Goodbye. Write soon.

G. H. Anthony

Direct your letters to New Bern, NC