57th Pennsylvania Infantry - Killed at Fredericksburg

Item LTR-9745

Description

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


October 27th 1862

Dear Friends,

It is with great pleasure that I seat myself to inform you that I received your letter yesterday and was to hear from you once more. I sent two letters before I could get any answer from you. I was glad to hear from John. For when he left the island, he could not get around very well. The poison he took when he was sick did not leave his bones. I was sorry to hear that John Barkey had to go to Ohio to get rid of the draft he thinks he can play off. But I think he had better try some other plan than the one he is on now if he can make it work. I think if some of them old abolitionists that are in they have to come out and lay out they would think it was pretty hard for them. And I hope will for last night was a hard one on white folks for it rained all night. But I was all right for I have three blankets and my tent mates have five more. So I was all right enough. I do not think we will have to do any soldiering this winter. If ever we have to well I often heard folks talk of starvation. But never did I think that I would live to see the time. But I did for it was pretty close nicking with me. For the hair of my head all came out and that was the effects of starvation while I was prisoner on the island. But we have all we want now. That is in the grub line. When you answer this letter, let me know how you are getting along. Whether you made enough to pay your taxes or not. Let me know all about it. For I would like to know if we get paid up, I think I can send you $100 at least if it would be acceptable. Well, I must go to supper now. Tell Dan to keep some of them nice apples till I get home and I will help him eat some of them when I get back. Let me know how Jacob, Bixler and Barbery are getting along. I would like to be home to get a drink of good cider and some apples to eat. For they are very dear in this place.

I have a hard way of writing. When the boys are jumping all around through the tent. Well Israel, if you want to send me some stamps, you may. For we cannot get them whenever we need them. For there is so many soldiers to be supplied with them.

No more at present. But write soon.

David Hay to his Father, Mother, Brothers and Sister