94th & 105th New York Infantry

Item LTR-9822

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 2 pages, written in period ink.


Camp near Cold Harbor, Hanover County, Va.
June 10, 1864

My Dear daughter Betsy,

How are you today? Well, I hope, as I am at present.

Well, it is a long time since I have heard from you, but I have thought of you often for the last two weeks, for I had nothing else to do, for I have been on the water the most of the time. I had one trip of 150 miles. I crossed the bay twice, and we had a storm both times. The first time we lost three men that got washed overboard.

Well, you will have to excuse me for this time. Kiss Bub for me, and tell him I sent it, but I don’t suppose you would let an old man kiss you now. Well, I don’t care, I shall send one for you. Write soon.

W. V. Little to Miss Betsy Little

I have sent a box home. Please let me know if it has come. Tell Adelbert to write and all the rest.

Good afternoon, Amelia and Edward,

How do you average to the quarter today? 74 lbs., I hope. That is about my weight, say nothing about the tail, but that don’t amount to much in a nice beef where they are all fat but their tail, and that is a candle, but the wick is gone. Well, you will learn before this reaches you that we are not far from Richmond. Our camp is not far from Cold Harbor. Edward, know where that it is our train lays? About three quarters of a mile from where little Mac had his headquarters when he was down here. Well, as to fighting, they do a little at it every day and some at night. Well, I have not time to write much more this time, so I will bid you good-by.

Walter V. Little to his children E. Curtis, A.E. Curtis

Write when you can get time, for I have not had a letter in three weeks.