72nd New York Infantry - Chaplain's Christmas Letter

Item MED-10624

Description

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


Camp Wool, Maryland
Sunday
22 December 1861

My Dear lib,

Yesterday came and went and found me committed to the grave of another of our soldiers. It was a sad time. This the 19th that has dropped from the ranks since the organization and death seems still to be on one track pursuing us with relentless fury. For a day or two, I have thought I might be compelled from a sense of duty to withdraw my request for a leave of absence for a few days and see if something a little brighter might not dawn upon us. Still, there are only a few who now seem to be in danger. Yet we cannot tell who will be next of the sick be in danger or the well. We know not how to account for the sickness and death. Lieutenant Howard is better today. Captain Grecheneck is not well. Mason is better and Lyons will not have the fever. The officers generally are not among the sick. I suppose it is because they live differently and have different habits of personal cleanliness. I think that must be it. Caldwell of Dunkirk and Dr. Benedict came to camp yesterday and are looking over things today. I went to both hospitals. I had prayers this morning and then had prayers with a sick man in my tent. The Sundays seem strange mornings and when I think of the good times we used to have in our nice little church at home, I am sober and sad. But I hope the day will come when I can go back again to the natural duties of a parish and the blessedness of my own dear home. If I could stay with you, it would be joyful and a glory if we were. Well, all such as I would be grateful at and praise well for. Let us hope that there will soon be.


Willard’s papers have gone to the department for approval and it maybe we will get our papers together or about the same time. My papers do not get back and the Colonel wonders that they do not. No matter. I would have hated to have gone as early as Friday for the reason that Robertson died and Hess also Saturday. One or two others I would like to see out of danger before I leave. I would feel easier if there was a decided improvement. Irwin is better and escaped fever by his promptness in taking the remedies.

There has been very heavy firing today towards Port Tobacco. Counter firing and suspect some batteries are at work there. The rebels are getting a little discouraged and reckon at their present state of things and the recent victories. I hope they will soon be put to rest. I must go over to the hospital and see Porter of Company B and some others. I will resume again by and by and try to send this tomorrow by Mrs. French, who goes directly to Dunkirk. Bye bye.

Back again and settled down for the evening and a rainy night. Porter of Company B is very low. Hubbard of the same company, a nice fellow, is taken today and is pretty sick. Oh, how I wish a merciful God would stay this sickness and I believe he would if our men would look to him more than they do. The thoughtfulness and prosperity of the many is prevalent. Would God, if it were not so? It may be by the good spirit, turning the hearts of the disobedient to the undone of the just and where as we are loved, let shine in pursuing the race set before us. His bountiful mercy may it speedily help us and restore us and make us well in body and able to leave him right.
This evening, we had the alarm of fire. Lieutenant Bliss’ tent was burned up. His effects were mostly saved. There was a general rush and you would about have imagined that the fire was on Broadway. We have some old firemen on hand who went into things right normally. It was all over in five or ten minutes. My pass is not in yet. So, I cannot be there for Christmas and I am glad you have told the people do not expect me. If I could come, I would “but if I couldn’t how could I?” many may give up now and not expect me. I ask God please come just as soon as I can. It might be perhaps all the better for delaying it a few days and we shall be in better funds too. I wish I knew what you most needed and I would get it for my darling wife. Perhaps we can find something for our dearies at New York, if we come that way. And Willard and I want to do so. Give my love to all the flock. Tell Mrs. Lehman, I want very much to send her some holly bushes but we cannot get them to the railroad or Express from here. We are in a wilderness and nobody of great worth knows about us. No society, no stage, no railroad and a steamboat about 8 miles off and nobody to see to things there. Matters are landed and much as been lost. Fry lost 90 dollars’ worth of stuff a few days since. Willard and I sent some holly bushes a few weeks ago home but we don’t suppose they ever got past Washington. Let me know if your health is good and I am trying to do as well as possible under all circumstances. I sleep good here, a good appetite, drink scarcely, no water sometimes, take quinine bitters and on the whole, seem to be doing very well. May we only be spared to do only good in this wicked world.

My box of clothing came this evening with cannons is how we get things here. It came in a large box with some muskets from Washington. And a boy from the DC Dunkirk saw it up there and put it inside to mail it and it came securely. So much for having a friend in Lenny Bowen. Andrew let me mail what small IDs if I can’t get to you very soon. Then of course, I must be content and wait. Do not give up when you get these letters and think I will never come for them, I hope to every day. Just as soon as my pass comes if all is right here too. I can in extra reason leave. I will do it. Perhaps Old Santa Clause will come at Christmas Eve now and not at New Years! What say you? I commit you and the dear ones to the kind care of him who is able to protect you from all harm and keep you safely from all evil. I pray to God to bring us together soon and make us very happy. Kiss my/your dear children, every one each morning for me. I love you devotedly. I love the dear children and my absence is my tribute of self-denial to them and your position. I am well, wishing to all of my old friends and if I have an enemy, I would be glad to do him good. And now good night my love. May God’s good power be over and preserve you and the dear ones. Remember me to all. I send a Merry Christmas to you all. Bye by again.

I am your faithful and devoted,

Levi

Get the children something and fill up their stockings and have them read Dr. Moore’s “Night before Christmas.”