100th New York Infantry - Captured at Drewry's Bluff

Item LTR-9747

Description

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


November 12, 1863
Morris Island, SC
Company A
100th New York Volunteers

Dear Wife and children,

I have a few moments to write to you and I am well at present. I have been some unwell since I have been here. I think this is the best winter quarters there is in the army at present. And I think we shall leave here in the spring for the north. We get the sea breeze here and that keeps it healthy. I don’t think there is any news to write at this time that I know of. Only there is some drilling to do every day and the meanest ground to walk on I ever saw. The sand is like boards to walk on but it is only two hours in a day. The weather is just warm enough to be comfortable. I suppose you have had some snow there by this time. It has been cool here for about two days. I have not had any letter from you yet. I should be glad to hear from you. You may judge that by yourself. I want you to write often for it will seem to be like talking to you and that would be sweet to me. But all things will be for the best for I feel God would not forsake us. I think it will not be long before I shall come home to you. But we will trust it to him who gave us life and this earth to live on and he will bring us out all right and then we shall know how to appreciate his blessing unto us. I wish you would try to instruct the children to revere their maker. I mean to live a Christian the rest of my days. God being my helper and I hope you will. For you may know whether I love you or not by your own feelings for me and I do not doubt them in the least and I know that the children love me with all their hearts and it makes me feel glad. But do not worry for me. For God will bring us together again in his own good time and pleasure and may we wait for it without complaining. I pray for you every morning and night and I hope you will do the same for me. I want you to ask them at the post office if it costs any more for a soldier letter to come without stamps. And if they do not, I will send them with stamps. There is some kind of a rumor that the drafted men here will be discharged in nine months. So the officers say. Tell George not to enlist. I don’t care how much they bid up for volunteers for I want him to stay at home any way. They still keep firing on Sumter. So as to keep up appearances I suppose. There is a different feeling in the army than I thought there was. There is a much difference of opinion here as there is at home. But there is no quarreling here about it as there is at home. I must draw my letter to a close for I have not much longer time to write at present for it is almost drill time. Well Libby, put your trust in God and all will be well. I will write some to the children next time. I often think of them and I love them very much and you too dear wife.

Samuel Huntington

To his dear wife and children. May God bless you and all and me too.