112th New York Infantry - Killed at Chaffin's Farm

Item LTR-9094

Description

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


Headquarters of the Army of the Potomac
Suffolk, Virginia

112th New York Volunteers
Colonel J. C. Drake
Commanding

November 1st 1862

Mr. Smith

Sir,

By request of your son, I Wallace Appleby shall write a few lines to you to inform you of his health. He was attacked with the typhoid fever the 25th of October and the fever run two weeks before it was broken up, when he was taken. He was with a very hard headache and with pain in his bones. He is now on the gain, has got so that he can get up and wash. He has quite an appetite and the doctor thinks and so do I, that he will soon be around. He has not been to the hospital. We kept him in our tent until Post and Sullivan, with two other boys, got their large tent up. When he moved into that, there he now is. Our large tents are intended for 5. In ours we shall have but 4. We have got ours up and about finished. In my tent will be Eli C., Beecher Upton, William and myself. We shall have William in our tent before long.

He wants me to write that he has had very good care. Has had a quilt from the hospital and pillow. Lieutenant Damon let him have a tick and we filled it with husks. It was quite comfortable. The Lieutenant and Captain said that rather than have William go to the hospital, they would give up their own beds and walk the streets to keep warm. We have had quite a snow storm here. It fell about two inches last Tuesday night. (I was on picket). And has not all gone off yet. I tell you Old Virginia is the place for me. Last Wednesday night Company H received several boxes with the rest. William had some things sent in William’s boys’ box. He thought that they might be sent by Orphen. There was not name so that he could not tell for certain where they come from. He got some sugar, some dried fruit, berries and a small piece of cheese. He thinks that he can get along for a while with what he has got in the provision line. He wants you to send him some stamps in your next. Also, that you would write who sent those things, if you know. I believe that I have written all that he wants me to for this time. And I think that after this, he will be able to write for himself. No more at present. Write as soon as you get this.

William Smith


I want you to tell the friends that as regards me, I am well and tough, enjoy myself, tip top, weigh more than I ever did at home and that I have no desire to come home until this rebellion shall be put down or at least until the thing can be honorably settled.

I hear that Seymour is elected Governor of New York. I think he is the man we want. In your next write what the folks think of Seymour about there. I have more to write but no time to write it now.

Yours truly,

Wallace Appleby