30th Maine Infantry

Item LTR-9000

Description

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


Frederick, MD. May 5, 1865

My dear wife,

Now I am in one of the “historic” places of the war. I arrived at Baltimore just a little too late for the train to Frederick. Found that another train would leave at twenty minutes before ten. A through train to Harpers Ferry and beyond, and I could come with in four mile of Frederick but that there was no place to stop at that station. I found I should miss Frank if I did not come, but did not like the idea of lugging my valise three or four miles after one o’clock at night though a strange and rather uncertain territory. However, I resolved to try the experiment, an risk it. Having them some four hours to spend in Baltimore I concluded after looking about a while and taking some refreshment that I would call on Ms. Condar. I accordingly went to her brother’s store, learned the whereabouts and started. I spent some two hours with her very pleasantly and at her earnest solicitation, together with brother, took tea with them, after which I repaired to the depot. The ticket seller took them over to other young men who were left like myself, and that they had telegraphed for a team to come up from Frederick to Monocacy Junction and take them down. He thought I could go with them, and I took my seat in the car asking him to speak of me to them if he saw them again. He soon saw them and sent them into the car where I was. They were very glad of my company and found them rather pleasant fellows, “Union” to the core. Found a good wash waiting for us on arrival, and was turned into a hotel here at two o’clock. Distance from Balt. About sixty miles I think. This morning I searched the town over in vain to get trace of Frank, but without success.

I had given up in despair, was about to settle down quietly, and leave for Washington next train, thinking I had been at any public house, and in the mean had telegraphed to Wash when I noticed another hotel and made for it, when lo & behold: there was his name…I then learned he had been there and gone, but would be back at about one o’clock today, and when the train came round it brought him. We shall remain here tonight and leave for Washington at seven o’clock in the morning arriving probably about eleven.

It is very pleasant and summer-like this P.M. though the morning was dull and threatened rain. Telegraphed you from Baltimore, and have just done so from here….sent it just about three o’clock. See when you get it. Felt tired and had severe head ache last night, but am all right today. Feel first rate. Wish I could hear from you, as you do from me. Bit I cannot. Will try to write from Washington tomorrow.

Yours affectionately,

F.H. Coffin