3rd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery

Item LTR-9607

Description

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


Fortress Monroe
October 18, 1863

Miss Anne,

Dear Friend

I received your letter of the 7th and was truly happy to hear from you and more it always does me good to get a letter from an old friend at home. I must think you were one and I hope you are still. But Anne, I would rather have your likeness don’t you know you promised to give it to me. I guess you have forgotten it. But you hadn’t ought to forget it. I have been waiting very patiently for it. Anne, I was glad to hear from Ellis Tasker. I saw him when we laid at Suffolk. We came some way from there and I had not seen him since that time but I heard that battery was laid at Norfolk about 20 miles I heard here and if they are there when you write, please tell me. I won’t go up to see them. We have been out after guerrillas. I was gone 10 days. I got back last night. We got 11 of them and captured one schooner and crew. It was a blockade runner.

I am lonesome today. I am almost alone, part of the company is up to Hagg Island yet and the other boys have gone to Charlestown taking some of the drafted men there. We don’t do much duty inside of the fort anymore. They keep us going from one place to another all the time. Anne, I was surprised to hear that Ellis is going to get marries. I hope he will get a nice girl. I hope he will stay single till I get back. I have not heard from him for a long time. I will write to him and perhaps he will tell me all about it. Anne, I can’t think of anything worth writing. Anne, that love which you sent to me was received with greatest kindness. I will take all of that you wish to send me and I also received that sweet kiss. I was the first one I have had in a long time.

Please accept all my love and best wishes, you can all of them you wish to take. I will close by telling you that I am well at present and sincerely wish these poorly written lines will find you enjoying the same blessing. Please excuse this poor writing and spelling. I ever remain your true and sincere friend.

Henry F. Day
To Miss Anne Harkens
Anne don’t forget to write
Good By