44th New York Infantry & 11th Battery New York Light Artillery - Twice Wounded

Item LTR-9760

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 3 pages, written in period ink.


11 NYV Battery
January 14th 1865

Dear Father,

Your letter of the 10th was received by me today and I hasten to reply. I wrote you a long letter a few days ago, stating that I had mustered as 2nd Lieutenant. I have not been assigned to duty yet. They have not received any notice of my muster. I am perfectly contented and don’t care much whether they assign me soon or not. I believe they are trying to affect something with the War Department at Washington but I hardly think will accomplish much. I received a letter from George last night which stated that there was another communication at the Adjutant General’s in Albany from the officers. I am glad you have seen Governor Fenton, although it is impossible for him to do any[thing] to injure me now as I am in the U.S. Service and belong to Uncle Sam. The Adjutant General at Washington is the only person now that can do me any harm.

I expected to be seated before a board of examiners; in that case I would undoubtedly be dismissed from the service for incompetency. If they do this, I will be home in a few days as I have not the least idea of passing the board. I think everything will turn out all right in a few days. I wrote you a letter some time ago to send me some money. I hope you have attended to it. I will write you a short letter this time and the next time I will write a good, long one. Give my love to Mother and the rest of the family and remember me to all enquiring friends. Hoping to hear from you soon, I will bid you goodbye for the present.


P.S. I received a letter from Johnny tonight and have answered it. Also answered a letter from Mattie Rice. I am going to purchase a saddle horse tomorrow from Major Dick Brown at a $130. If I take a government horseman’s I will have to pay $170. Hurry up my valise.

From your affectionate son,

Lieutenant A. G. Graves, Jr.

11th Independent Battery