26th New York Infantry

Item LTR-9744

Description

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


Headquarters 26th N.Y. Vols.
Camp near Bell Plains, VA
March 1st 1862

My Dear Maggie,

Your delicate little missive of the 23rd reached me about two hours ago. It was very welcome indeed, although it was the bearer of sad news. I have always said or thought it if I have not said it that Hattie was a frail flower. She has one of those minds that are very seldom allowed to mature. William Sawyer had another. How sudden his death. Benj in a letter today informs me of the death of one of my old Scholars, the best one in the school. His name was James Annis, about 19 years old. He taught school last winter.
Dennis also favored me with a letter today and the rural came as I supposed from home until Munson found your name on it and showed it to me. Did you direct it? Dennis told me nothing very bad about you. What you said about Eler will go no farther but I can’t help thinking that you are a little nasty in your judgment. She thought probably that she had cause to be offended with your conduct. But you knew that you meant nothing by your actions, and therefore looked at it in a little different light from what she did. She is not certain of the “engagement” between us and thinks she has a rival in the person of yourself. Think of all this and be a little more lenient in your judgment. “Ain’t I quite a Lawyer”. I didn’t ask Frank who her lover was but you are the one that I asked. Why don’t you like to tell me of your sleigh rides. You may forget them before I get home especially if I have to stay another year which in all probability I shall. I think that we will soon leave our present Camp for Washington or some other place in that direction. I live in the same place where I do now. My family is all well. My health is as good as I can ask for.

Give my love to Hattie and the rest of the family and remember me to other Friends. Please write soon and accept this with much love from your absent friends and well wisher.

Sergeant W. S. Firman
Co C. 26th N.Y. Vols.
Washington DC

M.H.C.

P.S. I forgot in my last to acknowledge the receipt of those “Dovers Powders”. They were very powerful. I can hear the jack Bark every time I look at them.
Warren