1st New York Mounted Rifles

Item LTR-9102

Description

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


Lebanon Church, Virginia

April the 24th 1864

Dear Sister Emma,

Yours of the 16th came to hand at last after I had given up looking for it. Yet I hardly know what to write in reply as there is nothing new here as yet. The weather is favorable for a move and we may be called out at any moment. But it is very still here at present. I have been very lonesome since I came back. I have written to a great many but they all seem to be very slow to answer. As I have been here over a month and have not received and answer from more than half of those that I have written to. I sent D. the other day. He is on the bed list with the chills and fever. He looks very bad. It appears that Jo was married while he was at home and he is more than homesick now. And I cannot pity him a bit for I told him not to get married. You say that you have seen Mary and that you wished that she had asked you some questions. It is not necessary for her to ask you for you may be sure that I told her myself. But then as to feeling sorry for her, there is no occasion for that. For she is too sensible a girl to mourn for a poor devil like me.

Lucy sends her love to you. She has been quite sick since we were there. But was getting better. The last time that I heard from her, Casper was enlisted in the 2nd Mounted Rifles. He is now in Washington. Anna Measor has sent me a very nice apology for her behavior that evening at Mr. Leoweksy and I have accepted it.

Eggs are in very good demand here. As I have bought 5 dozen today at 30 cents. I have not heard from each of the boys since I came back. I wrote to Cal the night that I came to camp, but I do not know where to direct to Andrew.

You will please send me his directions and I will write to him. I wrote to Pam Jones some 2 weeks ago. Also, one to Minerva and Augusta and have received no answer to either. If you will send me Aunt Sarah Santon’s directions, I will write to her. I sent $70 by Express to Father yesterday. Let me know when he receives it and I wish you to answer as soon as you get this and not wait as long as you did before.

Give my love to all and my respect to Emily Seely. And I will remain your loving brother.

H. A. Green

Troop C, 1st Mounted Rifles
Yorktown, Virginia