94th & 105th New York Infantry

Item LTR-9706

Description

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


Camp near Belle Plain, Virginia
March the 19th 1863

To my Wife at home,

I sit down with pleasure to answer your kind and welcome letter that I received today. it found me well except a cold, and that is better than it was. I laid still two days but today I commenced a new line of business. It consists of driving mules and they are green at that.

My horses are gone—O I hated to part with them. For they have been my companions for almost a year and fared as I have. Sometimes hard and sometimes good. But there is no use of talking, they are gone and I hope they will fall into good hands for that is all that I can do for them now. But they must go with all the rest of my friends.

I am all that is left of all the old drivers that commenced to drive at Cloud’s Mills. They are all gone. Some are dead, and some are at home with those that they love. But I am left to fend a few more days in this accursed country of rebeldom and traitor and negro. Well, I said enough on this subject.

Well, I thank you for them verses. O they made me think of home and those that are dear to me. But I hope to meet you once more on earth. Well, you said you had bought a cow. That is all right. But you have never told anything about them steers of yours. Whether you have broke them or not. They would do some work this spring. Well, there is no news to write. It is lonesome here. There is nothing going on in camp. Only stealing and that they do right up to the scratch. One boy stole thirty dollars from his bunkmate last night and they have got him in the guardhouse to wait a court martial.

Well, Eliza, and where is Alford Night? Is he too at home or not. If he is at home, you can get a dollar that he owes me that I lent him at Waterloo, Virginia. A gold dollar. He will remember it and what he wanted it for.

Well how does that boy grow or that baby that I left at home? I suppose he has got to be a great boy now. Does he look any like this old soldier that is trying to write to his Mother? Or does he look better. Well if he does, he is not so smart. For I can ride a mule and he can’t. But if he was down here I could learn him to ride. I have got one mule that is just about as big as a large sheep and gentle as a lamp.

Well, I must close for this time. But you will hear from me again soon. This ever to his wife and children at home.

W. W. Little

Camp near Belle Plain
March the 19th 1863

To my son Adelbert,

Good afternoon to you! How do you get along there at home? Well I hope. Have you made some sugar yet or not or is it too cold to make sugar or do anything else.

Well Adelbert, it is pretty dull time here. But I have got my hands full now for a spell. I have got six mules to break and they are wild as deer to catch them. We had to lasso them and choke them down and put on the halter. Well you must get along the best you can till I come home. Please excuse me for this time and I will do better next.

W. Little

O tell them two girls that I will remember them next time. I will send you a sprout that growed in our tent.