24th New York Infantry

Item LTR-9705

Description

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


Elmira
Wednesday, May 8th 1861

Dear Parents and Friends,

I am now in Elmira. I came here with the ensign of Captain Richards’ Company on Monday night last and enlisted in the same company the next morning. I was sworn in at noon by Captain Richards.

Tuesday, May 7th. I am well and in good health at present. You all must not feel bad or alarmed, any of you, about me. We have got good quarters and probably shall not have to go and fight.

I received your letter a day or two before I left Oswego. I left there last Saturday, 2 o’clock. I had two days work there. That is all I could get at present. Now there, must not any of you think anything wrong. I helped to elect Abraham Lincoln to the head of the government and I will stand by him and the Constitution. It’s not for me, well for the thousands of others. There are about 7,000 volunteers here now.

I must go and march to supper. Write as soon as you get this. In haste, I will write again in a few days.

E. D. Johnson
Elmira
Chemung County, New York