Mr. Lincoln's War - - - printer-friendly version
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Post-marked:
Washington, D. C. Dec. 27, '63
Camp near Culpeper
Dec. 23-63
Dear Sister
I received your welcome letter two or three days ago & should have answered
it yesterday, but one of the boys got a pass for me to go with him to the
43rd N. Y. So .I went there and let this go until today. I suppose, you will
begin to think that .I am sick or something else that I have not written before.
But your letter was delayed on the road some. I am well & tough as ever.
The weather is pretty cold, but just nice winter weather. Last night a light
sprinkling of snow fell for the first & fair prospects of more.
They are trying to have the Regt. re-enlist & probably will get enough
to carry the Regt. home. That is, enough will probably re-enlist to hold its
organization. Those that do not re- enlist will be put into some other N.
Y. Reg. til those that go home come back.
I did think some of going with the Regt. til I found that the town would get
credit for it. If I should enlist I would only be filling the place of some
of those cowardly pimps at home. If they get more than enough to fill up their
quota this time, it would be credited to them next time. So, I have concluded
not to enlist for the present anyway. I may possibly, but I think that when
I have served out my three years, I will have done my duty to my Country.
Then let those that are at home serve as long & then, if necessary, I
will serve as much longer & without standing a draft too.
There are very few going from Co. E. the least of any Co. The most of the
Cos. get 3-4 of their men. Even if I should enlist, perhaps the town would
have its quota full & then I would get no town bounty, and if the town
should have the credit of it. I should want the bounty.
We have no First Lieut.now. It was Lieut. Davis, but he has been assigned
to another Co. now.
I have not heard from Hattie since I wrote to you before. Cornelia wrote me
that the town bounty to new soldiers was $300 and veterans $502 more. But
I guess that is a mistake. Perhaps they give veterans $502 & that is pretty
large.
How large is the quota of Harmony? You need not send any dried fruits nor
anything but what I sent for. I would not give a fig for dried fruits. I wrote
to Mr. Daniels day before yesterday to send my box as soon as ready. I will
send you $1.00 in this to pay for yarn. I can't think what that word can be
that you speak of. Just cut it our & send it to me. Perhaps I can tell
what it is.
Your affectionate brother
Daniel
Rachel We are to serve two years longer than we were at first mustered for.
Enough of the Regt. are going to carry it home so, according to agreement,
I count myself a veteran. I wrote to Dennis Knapp to save my bounty for me.
You may knit my mittens but I am not going to have the box sent for we will
be home during the next month on 20 day furlows.
Your affectionate brother
Daniel