17th Pennsylvania Infantry & 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry

Item LTR-9806

Description

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


Yorktown
November 4th 1862

Dearest Ella,

Your much interrupted letter reached me Sunday night and I send you this note to carry my thanks for the last time before I see you.

We shall most probably be in Philadelphia on Saturday and all the details of the time, after my last overpowering letter. I can give you in proper order, then so forecasts all engagements Saturday afternoon and Sunday, for I shall not go on to New York until Sunday night. And shall deem it my painful duty to break the head of any one rash enough to steal my time from me.

The ladies whom I spoke to you about proved to be a Mrs. And Miss Bowie and Mrs. Bissell from Baltimore. The latter a young and pretty widow to whom the General is said to be about to take unto himself and the former (I mean Miss Bowie Madame was only the matron) a real Baltimore girl. Full of fun and sufficiently well posted to keep her from suffering at the hands of the world, she fell to my shine being the unmarried man of the party (a very dangerous positive, bye the bye). And so Lottie and I walked, rode and talked and flirted (honorable deed) for two days until Alas! She was obliged to leave me to sadness and a most hearty appetite, for we consoled ourselves by a luncheon for the pain of their affectionate farewell.

I’ll tell you all you want to know according to promise when I see you which happy day draws nigh at last.

The General has made application for two weeks leave and I shall have a rough time. Than I had reason to hope for to spend with you.

Chet Wood’s wedding cannot be very gay for Miss Halsey writes me that she expects to return to Elizabeth the next day. So that will give me over a week with you. Won’t that be jolly? I shall have so much to talk about with you.

Fort Monroe looked more charming than ever in the bright sunshine yesterday and I feel more profoundly in love with the pretty little houses I have chosen to live in should we ever be ordered there. It is so pretty painted a peculiar yellow which contrasted very well with the bright green trees and white piazza and surrounded by weeping willows and live oak, which shield it from the glare of the sun and from public gaze. There would just be room for Suldan and his wife, you, Dell and I’m sure you’d soon grow to like it as much as I do from the charming train of thought it always suggests. The delightful climate would soon make you strong and well and as well I hope we may get their or somewhere that my probation may be at an end.

Mother’s valuable gifts arrived safely all but the butter which I still am anxiously look for and hope I may get it today. That I may taste it before I leave and see if it justifies my praise.

Give my best regards to Richard and believe me with much love to you my darling.

Ever yours,

Ossie