16th Pennsylvania Cavalry

Item LTR-9406

Description

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


Camp Davis
Detachment 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry
September 6th, 1863

Dear Friend,

I take the present opportunity to inform you where I am at present and how I have been getting along since I left your house. I left Chambersburg the 14th of July. Went from there to Harrisburg, and stayed there through three or four days, went from there to Baltimore and was there something like a week. From there to Washington and on to Convalescent Camp and from there to my present situation here. I found several of the boys out of the 16th and five out of Company G. I got here on the 27th of August. You can have a pretty good idea how I was knocked around. I was sick from the time I got to Harrisburg until I got through to this place. I thought I would wait until I got to the Regiment before I would write to you but concluded it would be too long to wait as I did not know when I would get there. Well Andy, when I got sick at Harrisburg on my road here, I often wished that I was at your house. I had nobody to do anything for me but still, I got through so far. You don’t know what a difference there was after leaving your house where I was used so well, and going out amongst all kinds of people where everybody is for themselves. I have been lucky so far in the eating line. I haven’t eaten any hard tack since I left the Regiment.

I would like to be at your house about this time of day. Its about noon and I fancy I see you coming out with that small necked bottle full of Old Rye. I think I could relish a small decoction of that kind of spirits with the greatest of pleasure. Andy, take a good drink and while in the act, think of John R. Dunhan and drink hearty.

Well I must bring these few lines to a close but not before tendering you and your wife my love and best wishes for the care and attention you paid to me while I was with you. I never will forget that favor, while I was with you I was as well contented as if I had been at home and I was sorrow to leave but duty called me away. I could hardly keep my eyes from filling with the day I left your house. Tell Emma I have not forgot that present but I missed pay day therefore I will have to wait until next payday. Then I will fulfill my promise to her and you also. I would like to send you that money now but it is out of my power at this time. My love to Kate and especially to Belle and Emma, to all the rest of the family and take a large portion yourself. No more at present. I will write again as soon as I get to the Regiment then I will expect to hear from you.

From your sincere friend,

John R. Dunhan

To A. S. Moon