Tuesday, November 13, 2007
The Purpose.
This is a personal project suggested to me by my stepfather. When my Grandfather died, we found a small cedar chest, about the size of a shoe box, mixed in with his belongings. Inside was a collection of 12 letters written by a northern soldier during the Civil War. In subsequent postings, you will see some very well known names. I also want to say that there will be several grammatical errors in these postings. They are in no way an assessment of the author's intelligence, or mine for that matter. They are simply the words of a young, uneducated soldier from small-town Pennsylvania, fighting to preserve his country. There will also be parts that are omitted. This is in no way a form of censorship. A century and a half of sitting in a wooden box has deteriorated some of the words to the extent they can not be read, but I will try very hard to get the necessary parts, and correct my postings as time goes on. I think these letters truly present a different history than what we have all been taught, and I feel it is very important to get this information out before the letters fall apart. Thanks, and enjoy :)
Aug 7th (no year)
Dear Parent
It is with a degree of pleasure that I sit down to inform you that wee are about to take up our line of march this afternoon we received order to bee ready to go aboard a Vesel and report to Gen Burnside which we are truly hapy to doo three will not but four guns go the others will stay here to wate for there frend who is on (illegible) (illegible) the box that I sent for you will not send if you have not for it will bee some bother for me to get it but if you have sent it I shall get it some way I'll write as soon as we get to our destination my health is very good which I am very thank full for and which is one of the greatest natural blessings that is confered on human beings. what we shall need I canot tell but my trust in God is staying. It is late and I must Close hoping soon to hear from you and wishing to remain your sincere Son
Sylvester
Give my love and respects to all inquiring friends
It is with a degree of pleasure that I sit down to inform you that wee are about to take up our line of march this afternoon we received order to bee ready to go aboard a Vesel and report to Gen Burnside which we are truly hapy to doo three will not but four guns go the others will stay here to wate for there frend who is on (illegible) (illegible) the box that I sent for you will not send if you have not for it will bee some bother for me to get it but if you have sent it I shall get it some way I'll write as soon as we get to our destination my health is very good which I am very thank full for and which is one of the greatest natural blessings that is confered on human beings. what we shall need I canot tell but my trust in God is staying. It is late and I must Close hoping soon to hear from you and wishing to remain your sincere Son
Sylvester
Give my love and respects to all inquiring friends
The home of a soldier in a hickory grave, 1861
(illegible) (illegible) after i received your leter and was glad to here from you. we ar all well and enjoy ourselves first but (illegible) (illegible) and he died night before last with the typhoid fever we ar about 8 miles from washington city we came here yesterday al we ar to have for breakfast this morning is crackers and cofe- dont you wish you could have some thing as good as that. wee ar right in the land of rebels but we do not fear them half as much now as we did when we wer at home. I supose you think that we dred to gow into a batel that is not sow. I have lost all fear of the rebels or of gowing into a batel. I tried to get out of camp and and get my likness taken to send home but I could not. Mr Case is a gowing to start for home this morning. I would like to cum with him so I could see youur litel sister if you get time cum down some after noon and make (two illegible words and letter is physically cut off)
last night we had to sleap on the ground with a blanket around us. per haps you think that you think that we wer cold but we was not I had a great deal. rather sleep out dores than in a house. i would like to gow in to your (illegible) and help keepe the py and sweat cake from spoiling. I cannot think (illegible) to right while wee pin down (illegible) (illegible) (illegible). I will stay by wishing you a long and (the rest of the letter is completely illegible, sorry)
last night we had to sleap on the ground with a blanket around us. per haps you think that you think that we wer cold but we was not I had a great deal. rather sleep out dores than in a house. i would like to gow in to your (illegible) and help keepe the py and sweat cake from spoiling. I cannot think (illegible) to right while wee pin down (illegible) (illegible) (illegible). I will stay by wishing you a long and (the rest of the letter is completely illegible, sorry)
THE WAR FOR THE UNION
Camp Jackson
Williamsfort
Dec the 17th/ 61
My afectionate Father
this day in good health and with a (illegible) mind I seat my self to let you know that I am yet living and have not forgoten you yet. We left Hancock last Thursday morning and came part way here and stayed over night and came here Friday noon, but we do not expect to stay here long. to day it is very warm here and it has been for the last two weeks. there is considerable excitment here about England helping the south. there for the last two weeks there has ben skirmishes all along the river from (illegible city name) 4 miles below here as far up as Cumberland. the opinion of the soldiers here is that General Banks will cross the River here soon with the whole division. we have herd from (illegible) 3 times this fall. we here that (illegible) is at home. we would like to come home on a visit but as things ar I do not expect we can come this Winter. thare is not much news at present of (illegible) (illegible) whilst we wer at (illegible) 1 Captain and 6 privets of the (illegible) boys wer taken Prisoners below here they crossed the river and the Rebel (illegible) cut off they retreat and with some fiting they wer taken. this from your son
M. L. French
Williamsfort
Dec the 17th/ 61
My afectionate Father
this day in good health and with a (illegible) mind I seat my self to let you know that I am yet living and have not forgoten you yet. We left Hancock last Thursday morning and came part way here and stayed over night and came here Friday noon, but we do not expect to stay here long. to day it is very warm here and it has been for the last two weeks. there is considerable excitment here about England helping the south. there for the last two weeks there has ben skirmishes all along the river from (illegible city name) 4 miles below here as far up as Cumberland. the opinion of the soldiers here is that General Banks will cross the River here soon with the whole division. we have herd from (illegible) 3 times this fall. we here that (illegible) is at home. we would like to come home on a visit but as things ar I do not expect we can come this Winter. thare is not much news at present of (illegible) (illegible) whilst we wer at (illegible) 1 Captain and 6 privets of the (illegible) boys wer taken Prisoners below here they crossed the river and the Rebel (illegible) cut off they retreat and with some fiting they wer taken. this from your son
M. L. French
Bunkerhill Berkley, Va., Sunday March the 9th/ 62
Dear Father
I am glad that I have the privelege of once more writing to you I am well to day we received a leter from you today and we wer very glad to here from you. you spoke about what I wanted you to do with that plase I hardley know what to tell you but is things have taken such a change and I am here and likley to bee for a while I want you should get rid of it some way if you can and if no other way let it go back into gelatts' hands. you say you have had plenty of snow this winter last sabbath it snowed here a very litle but to day there is not a (might?) os snow to bee seen to day. we ar in 12 miles of Winchester and we expect to march against it in a few days but we do not know for certain we hear that the best work around Winchester ar Barells filled with sand and dirt piled up on the outside and a (stick?) of timber on the top. We have 148 pieces of Artillery within 10 or 15 miles of Winchester and more on the way here. Some say the (illegible) is to starve the Rebels out of Winchester. Others say we ar to march on in a fiew days and take it! So you see we do not know one minute what wee ar to doo the next we have expected to have a battle so many times and wer disapointed that we do not expect to (illegible) bee in a battle
M L French
direct your letters to Williamsport
I am glad that I have the privelege of once more writing to you I am well to day we received a leter from you today and we wer very glad to here from you. you spoke about what I wanted you to do with that plase I hardley know what to tell you but is things have taken such a change and I am here and likley to bee for a while I want you should get rid of it some way if you can and if no other way let it go back into gelatts' hands. you say you have had plenty of snow this winter last sabbath it snowed here a very litle but to day there is not a (might?) os snow to bee seen to day. we ar in 12 miles of Winchester and we expect to march against it in a few days but we do not know for certain we hear that the best work around Winchester ar Barells filled with sand and dirt piled up on the outside and a (stick?) of timber on the top. We have 148 pieces of Artillery within 10 or 15 miles of Winchester and more on the way here. Some say the (illegible) is to starve the Rebels out of Winchester. Others say we ar to march on in a fiew days and take it! So you see we do not know one minute what wee ar to doo the next we have expected to have a battle so many times and wer disapointed that we do not expect to (illegible) bee in a battle
M L French
direct your letters to Williamsport
Warrenton junction V.a., Apr. the 19th 1862
Afectionate parents
I am well and enjoying life first but I receievd a letter from you some some time ago I could not get time to answer it for we have been on the road nearly evry day (illegible) yesterday we had a litle fight at the rappohanock River we opend fire to a rebel fort acros the River with 6 guns the second shot taking afect in the Magazin so consiquently a (illegible) took plase and who wer not killed left on double quick about this time three Masked Batterys opened on us filling the ir with shot and sell and in 15 minutes 2 of them wer silens and the shot from the others did not rech us so the Colonel orderd us to ceas firing and we returned to Camp with one wounded in the foot and 2 Caisons slightly damaged 1 of them being mine it was hit by a six lb. ball on the amunition box but glanest of. the 6th Pa Regiment is 1 1/2 mile from us I am a going to see the (illegible) this after noon. we have not seen them synce last October if you know whare Sylvester is pleas let me know for wee have not herd from him synce he left Binghampton (NY) if you can I wish you would tak 1 dolar of my money and get some postag stamps and send me
-M. L. French
(P.S.) you nead not send the stamps for the Captain says he will get us some
Direct to Washington D. C.
I am well and enjoying life first but I receievd a letter from you some some time ago I could not get time to answer it for we have been on the road nearly evry day (illegible) yesterday we had a litle fight at the rappohanock River we opend fire to a rebel fort acros the River with 6 guns the second shot taking afect in the Magazin so consiquently a (illegible) took plase and who wer not killed left on double quick about this time three Masked Batterys opened on us filling the ir with shot and sell and in 15 minutes 2 of them wer silens and the shot from the others did not rech us so the Colonel orderd us to ceas firing and we returned to Camp with one wounded in the foot and 2 Caisons slightly damaged 1 of them being mine it was hit by a six lb. ball on the amunition box but glanest of. the 6th Pa Regiment is 1 1/2 mile from us I am a going to see the (illegible) this after noon. we have not seen them synce last October if you know whare Sylvester is pleas let me know for wee have not herd from him synce he left Binghampton (NY) if you can I wish you would tak 1 dolar of my money and get some postag stamps and send me
-M. L. French
(P.S.) you nead not send the stamps for the Captain says he will get us some
Direct to Washington D. C.
Fort Mahan May 21/ 62
Dear Parent
This morning finds mee well and enjoying my self very well it is quite (illegible) here there is considerable excitement in the city an (illegible) of Gen Banks beeing driven backe but I have information direct anough in that it can bee relied on that it is a (contrived?) plan but dont know how it will turn out we got our pay day before yesterday and I will send 15 dollars in this leter do as you see fit with it for it is yours there is not much to write and i am in a hury so I will close by wishing you good bye write soon
S L French
This morning finds mee well and enjoying my self very well it is quite (illegible) here there is considerable excitement in the city an (illegible) of Gen Banks beeing driven backe but I have information direct anough in that it can bee relied on that it is a (contrived?) plan but dont know how it will turn out we got our pay day before yesterday and I will send 15 dollars in this leter do as you see fit with it for it is yours there is not much to write and i am in a hury so I will close by wishing you good bye write soon
S L French
Monday, November 12, 2007
Warrenton City Va, July the 8th AD. 1862
Afectionate Father
I once resume my seat to let you know how we are geting a long. The Boys ar in good health and apear to bee in good Spirits hoping the was may soon (illegible) so we can once more enjoy the meny privileges of our farmer days. the way we selibrated the 4th is we marched 12 miles in the dirt whilst the sun forced its heat upon us (we was on the rod from Manassas here). I suppose you get the newse as soon as we doe so it is usleless for me to repeat it we sent $10.00 in a letter to you some time ago and have not herd wheather you got it or not. (illegible) are very poor in this part of the country except (illegible) and it is very plenty. the gurrillars are very bold here. yesterday a party of the Boys wer out after berrys and got fired at several times. when you rite let me know what you have done with that piece of land.
We doe not expect to stay here long. The talk is that we ar a going to the (illegible) Spring 9 miles from here we ar 12 miles from Warrenton Junction the flame from our (illegible) last spring. I have seen poor folks in the north but come to looke at some of the foks here. I never saw real poverty before. There is hundreds of famileys here that dont now one day whether they can get even a mouthfull to eat the next or not. yet in many instances they lived comfortable before the war brokeout. the late battles at Richmond have created great excitement here and som ar discouraged because Richmond was not taken the first dash others and probly more sensible men say it is working as well as could be expected and ar not afraid of McClellan being defeated. I hope he will sucksead all ar wating very impatiently for the finall result and the captures of richmond. to night the report of the fall of Fort Darling was hastily recieved here. glorious newse if true. write often and all of the newse
M. C. French
Washington D.C.
Hartsuff's Brigade
Matthews Battery
I once resume my seat to let you know how we are geting a long. The Boys ar in good health and apear to bee in good Spirits hoping the was may soon (illegible) so we can once more enjoy the meny privileges of our farmer days. the way we selibrated the 4th is we marched 12 miles in the dirt whilst the sun forced its heat upon us (we was on the rod from Manassas here). I suppose you get the newse as soon as we doe so it is usleless for me to repeat it we sent $10.00 in a letter to you some time ago and have not herd wheather you got it or not. (illegible) are very poor in this part of the country except (illegible) and it is very plenty. the gurrillars are very bold here. yesterday a party of the Boys wer out after berrys and got fired at several times. when you rite let me know what you have done with that piece of land.
We doe not expect to stay here long. The talk is that we ar a going to the (illegible) Spring 9 miles from here we ar 12 miles from Warrenton Junction the flame from our (illegible) last spring. I have seen poor folks in the north but come to looke at some of the foks here. I never saw real poverty before. There is hundreds of famileys here that dont now one day whether they can get even a mouthfull to eat the next or not. yet in many instances they lived comfortable before the war brokeout. the late battles at Richmond have created great excitement here and som ar discouraged because Richmond was not taken the first dash others and probly more sensible men say it is working as well as could be expected and ar not afraid of McClellan being defeated. I hope he will sucksead all ar wating very impatiently for the finall result and the captures of richmond. to night the report of the fall of Fort Darling was hastily recieved here. glorious newse if true. write often and all of the newse
M. C. French
Washington D.C.
Hartsuff's Brigade
Matthews Battery
Yorktown Va, July 11th/ 62
Dear Parent
It is with much pleasure that I sit down this morn to write a few lines to you my helth is (illegible) this summer. it has been considirarble time since I have herd from you but dont expect it is because you do not write for me do not get hardley any male of late I have not had a letter for the last 15 days we generaly get 1 or 2 leters a day it is getting to be quite warm here now but it has rained so much of late that we have been nearly a float. I have not been with the battery of late but at the south (illegible) battery with a detachment of men to see (illegible) this batery. There is no other troops her now but Wistlars Brigade they ar all in side of this fort and the one on the (illegible) side of the river. Gen (Fastor?) was here to day they had a review I did not have to go out with the rest (illegible name) her is our future Commander. This Fort is quite large mounds 109 guns I have not herd from Ed or (illegible name) in considerable time. (illegible) they (illegible...) they had those fights please write if you have herd from them there is no more to write from here therfore I shall have to close. I remain as ever your afectionate Son Sylvester L. French
(illegible) 16th (illegible) Battery
Wislars Brigade
York Town Va
in care of capt F S. Hiller
It is with much pleasure that I sit down this morn to write a few lines to you my helth is (illegible) this summer. it has been considirarble time since I have herd from you but dont expect it is because you do not write for me do not get hardley any male of late I have not had a letter for the last 15 days we generaly get 1 or 2 leters a day it is getting to be quite warm here now but it has rained so much of late that we have been nearly a float. I have not been with the battery of late but at the south (illegible) battery with a detachment of men to see (illegible) this batery. There is no other troops her now but Wistlars Brigade they ar all in side of this fort and the one on the (illegible) side of the river. Gen (Fastor?) was here to day they had a review I did not have to go out with the rest (illegible name) her is our future Commander. This Fort is quite large mounds 109 guns I have not herd from Ed or (illegible name) in considerable time. (illegible) they (illegible...) they had those fights please write if you have herd from them there is no more to write from here therfore I shall have to close. I remain as ever your afectionate Son Sylvester L. French
(illegible) 16th (illegible) Battery
Wislars Brigade
York Town Va
in care of capt F S. Hiller
Waterloo Va, July the 24th/ 62
Dear Father I once more seat my self with pen in hand to let you know whare we ar we ar at a little Town called Waterloo 7 1/2 miles from Warrinton (Warrington, VA). day before yesterday wee signed the pay role and just as the pay master got all ready to for us we got orders to march so we packed up and of wee went for some fort but did not know whare but at 4 Pm we stayed here and got payed for 2 months and I expressed $20 to you. Ten for Myron and Ten for my self. we got the (illegible) week before last. we do not expect to stay here long. all ar expecting something to doo here in the valley soon. all officers and soldiers speak in the higest terms of our leader General Pope and express an (aneious?) desire to folow him to the last (illegible) (the rebels called whare they are going to die or whip the North.) and thare to contend for the rights and freedom of our country the (illegible) have and ar dooing a great deal of dam mage in this part of the country. Our Army here is scowering the country clean of horses cattle sheap hogs and all of the grass and in this Town we burned a larg factory where the oner had been making cloth for the rebels. Gen. Banks rod up to the mill and ordered them to stop it but they refused and one of his men set fire to it and it burnt consuming a large quantity of cloth. the way they got wool is they had nigars gow around the camps and pick up old clothes and work them over. I used to see old niggars have large loads of old clothes but I never could tell what they did with them
M. C. French
M. C. French
Camp near Sharpsburg, MD Sunday Sept the 28th/ 62
Dear Brother
I now seat my self to let you know that we ar yet amoung the living and are in good health. I supose you have herd all about the battle so it is usless for me to tell it over. I have been in seven battles but this was the hardest of them all. Cannon balls (illegible) shells and rifle balls apeared to strike in every spot whare I did not stand and men fell all around me I was about 10 rods from our general when he fell our division fought in a cornfield but after the fight was over you could not tell whether it was a cornfield as hog yard for the ground was covered with rebels you can judg for your self how they mus of fell when we had 4 bateryes firing grade and canister in to them all at once and this only one Division and many others dooing the same work. No pen nor tongue can holy tell the horrors of such a scene whare the ded only lay strewed over the field but in some cases they lay in piles 3 & 4 deap. Thes spots ar whare they charged on baterys and in all directions you could here the groans of the wounded. Edwin if you will do us the favor of seeing to the trouble of buying us 3 dollars worth of Gren Tea. 1 good (illegible) thus and if the folks feel so disposed they can send some buter and sent them to us we will pay you out of the money that father has got of ours pleas oblige us by sending the above mentioned articles amediateley by express direct to.
M. C. French
Hagerstown Md.
Batery F. 1st Reg Pa Ar
Rickets Division.
Send a bill of thes articals and the freight.
I now seat my self to let you know that we ar yet amoung the living and are in good health. I supose you have herd all about the battle so it is usless for me to tell it over. I have been in seven battles but this was the hardest of them all. Cannon balls (illegible) shells and rifle balls apeared to strike in every spot whare I did not stand and men fell all around me I was about 10 rods from our general when he fell our division fought in a cornfield but after the fight was over you could not tell whether it was a cornfield as hog yard for the ground was covered with rebels you can judg for your self how they mus of fell when we had 4 bateryes firing grade and canister in to them all at once and this only one Division and many others dooing the same work. No pen nor tongue can holy tell the horrors of such a scene whare the ded only lay strewed over the field but in some cases they lay in piles 3 & 4 deap. Thes spots ar whare they charged on baterys and in all directions you could here the groans of the wounded. Edwin if you will do us the favor of seeing to the trouble of buying us 3 dollars worth of Gren Tea. 1 good (illegible) thus and if the folks feel so disposed they can send some buter and sent them to us we will pay you out of the money that father has got of ours pleas oblige us by sending the above mentioned articles amediateley by express direct to.
M. C. French
Hagerstown Md.
Batery F. 1st Reg Pa Ar
Rickets Division.
Send a bill of thes articals and the freight.
Camp Barre, Washington D.C., December 8th 1862
Folks at home
this after noon findes me about one third of a mile East of the Capital enjoying myself as well as ever. We struck tents in Camp McClellan Thursday morning at four o'clock there was several of us detailed to take charge of the bagage. I was one of them, the Company started for harrisburg. I stayed and loded two four horse teams with boxes barrels. We then tooch four horses went to Harrisburg unloded the goods then loded them onto the cars and the Company loded the horses this to til night. About dark we started for Baltimore. arrived there about daylight the next morning. Soon after we left harrisburg I got on a pile of tents in the car and slept verry sound all night. the next morning I found myself in the Sity of Baltimore. Soon after day light the Company got into line and started for the soldiers retreat to get their Breakfast and I stay-ed with the cars. The cars that contained the Camp (illegible) wer drawn through the sity with horses the Company toock their horses off from the cars and rode them through the sity to the next train. About noon it commensed to snow and left it up until night. we got through the sity and the horses loded ready to start a little after dark. I had the advantage of the other Boys for I did not have to get out of the cars in all day and they got very wet before night. Then they got into some freight cars and started for Washinton. They had a stove in the car. The car that was I was in did not have any fire in and I had to get up several time before morning and stomp my feet to keep from freezing them. We got to Washington about one o'clock the next morning but I did not get out of the car until morning. Then the Capt. sent men to releave us long enough to go to the Soldiers retreat and get something to eat. This is a large building with stationary tables enough to feed eight or nine hundred men to at a time. We got Colde Bread and meat and hot Coffee. I tell you that I was not very backward in taking about three pints boles full of it and a large chunk of soft Bread for I had not had any time to eat but hard crackers from Thursday morning til Saturday morning and nothing to drink but Cold Coffee and water. After I had drank that bit of coffee I went back to the car. then they (illegible) the cars down into the Sity there we unloaded the things into the (illegible) there I sat until most night. Not a verry nice job I tell you. But I am good for it. It is quite cool here now the ground is frozen about three inches deep and there is a little snow here now. but I dont think it will stay long. I have not been into the Sity Since I came here but I think that I shall go down and see Old the one of these days.
The Jackson boys are all right. Write soon.
Respects to all inquireing friends.
E. A. French
Direct to E. A French
Wasington DC
Co. B. 17 Regt. Penn. Cavaly
Care of Capt D. E. Whitney
this after noon findes me about one third of a mile East of the Capital enjoying myself as well as ever. We struck tents in Camp McClellan Thursday morning at four o'clock there was several of us detailed to take charge of the bagage. I was one of them, the Company started for harrisburg. I stayed and loded two four horse teams with boxes barrels. We then tooch four horses went to Harrisburg unloded the goods then loded them onto the cars and the Company loded the horses this to til night. About dark we started for Baltimore. arrived there about daylight the next morning. Soon after we left harrisburg I got on a pile of tents in the car and slept verry sound all night. the next morning I found myself in the Sity of Baltimore. Soon after day light the Company got into line and started for the soldiers retreat to get their Breakfast and I stay-ed with the cars. The cars that contained the Camp (illegible) wer drawn through the sity with horses the Company toock their horses off from the cars and rode them through the sity to the next train. About noon it commensed to snow and left it up until night. we got through the sity and the horses loded ready to start a little after dark. I had the advantage of the other Boys for I did not have to get out of the cars in all day and they got very wet before night. Then they got into some freight cars and started for Washinton. They had a stove in the car. The car that was I was in did not have any fire in and I had to get up several time before morning and stomp my feet to keep from freezing them. We got to Washington about one o'clock the next morning but I did not get out of the car until morning. Then the Capt. sent men to releave us long enough to go to the Soldiers retreat and get something to eat. This is a large building with stationary tables enough to feed eight or nine hundred men to at a time. We got Colde Bread and meat and hot Coffee. I tell you that I was not very backward in taking about three pints boles full of it and a large chunk of soft Bread for I had not had any time to eat but hard crackers from Thursday morning til Saturday morning and nothing to drink but Cold Coffee and water. After I had drank that bit of coffee I went back to the car. then they (illegible) the cars down into the Sity there we unloaded the things into the (illegible) there I sat until most night. Not a verry nice job I tell you. But I am good for it. It is quite cool here now the ground is frozen about three inches deep and there is a little snow here now. but I dont think it will stay long. I have not been into the Sity Since I came here but I think that I shall go down and see Old the one of these days.
The Jackson boys are all right. Write soon.
Respects to all inquireing friends.
E. A. French
Direct to E. A French
Wasington DC
Co. B. 17 Regt. Penn. Cavaly
Care of Capt D. E. Whitney
Camp Curtin, Oct. 4 1863
Father this morning findes all of the Jackson boys well myself with the rest. We received our uniforms day befor yester day and our bounty to. Enclosed I send you my check of $40. you can keep it until I write what to do with it. we had orders this morning to go on (illegible) guard at 10 o'clock and be reddy for duty at 12 o'clock. For these reasons I cant write much this time.
I have just got in from guar-de duty. It is now three o'clock we shall have to go on guarde at 6 o'clock to night. we shall not stay here long for the regts (regiments) are nearly ready to be organized. when they are we shall leave here for some place unknown to me.
Yours with respect
E. A. French
Harrisburg
Camp Curtin, Penn.
You will find my Notes in my trunk
P.S. Father I should like to have you send me a silk pocket hankerchief you can take two Newspapers and doo the hankerchief w/ in them they will come just as well with that in them as with out it and I want you to send some (illegible) and paper as you have a chance to in news papers but I have an cough at present but don't want to by any more here it is so high and is not much better than (illegible) paper. It has (illegible) all night and there is considerable snow on the ground but the sun has come and warmed and the snow will bee gon. I did think of sending this by Mr. Wright but shall not. Please write some as convenient.
Your ever afectionate son
E. A. French
I have just got in from guar-de duty. It is now three o'clock we shall have to go on guarde at 6 o'clock to night. we shall not stay here long for the regts (regiments) are nearly ready to be organized. when they are we shall leave here for some place unknown to me.
Yours with respect
E. A. French
Harrisburg
Camp Curtin, Penn.
You will find my Notes in my trunk
P.S. Father I should like to have you send me a silk pocket hankerchief you can take two Newspapers and doo the hankerchief w/ in them they will come just as well with that in them as with out it and I want you to send some (illegible) and paper as you have a chance to in news papers but I have an cough at present but don't want to by any more here it is so high and is not much better than (illegible) paper. It has (illegible) all night and there is considerable snow on the ground but the sun has come and warmed and the snow will bee gon. I did think of sending this by Mr. Wright but shall not. Please write some as convenient.
Your ever afectionate son
E. A. French
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