124th New York Infantry - Orange Blossoms

Item LTR-11129

Description

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



September 23, 1862
 
 
My Darling Emma,
 
Last evening and yesterday, I was out on picket and just imagine my glad some surprise by receiving a letter from you. And more than I have to tell you about and how after I finished reading it I received another one and my dear honey it was from you.  I cannot but always think that my Emma loves me dearly.  Yes, darling one, I love you ever through present or absent and dream of you every night.  Last night I dreamed I met you and was about clasping you to my bosom when you said “please don’t soil my hair Walter, I’ve just combed it.”  Some nights I have the most beautiful dreams about you.  I think we are riding together, swinging together and kissing one another many times.
 
I have chosen a sheet of a new stamp to write to you this time. I had the good luck to buy a quire of this for 2 cents and improved it.  While we were in Washington, I was all around the Capitol and around the parade grounds.  Emma, just the dome of the Capitol cost over a million of dollars and that image on the peak is of solid bronze and weighs a hundred tons.  The building is made of marble and is now turned into a hospital for the wounded soldiers.  The 'White House' is a different house from the Capitol.  I always thought it was one. 
 
We are as a company enjoying ourselves as well as usual.  And I must say again dear, I never enjoyed better health in my life.  I weigh heavier now than I ever did.  You speak of it being cold in Deerpark, why dear the weather here is now about as it is in August there.  I am so accustomed to sleeping on the ground that when I return home you must learn to sleep on the ground too.
 
You doubtless have read the news about our recent battles. Such a battle never was fought before the world under such circumstances.  Our loss was in killed, wounded is about 19,000. Burnside & Siegel are now close on the retreating Rebels.  You will notice that all McClellan has written about it was a dispatch to Halleck saying he had a “Glorious Victory” and we have here now official information that McClellan does not intend to give his official report until he destroys Jackson's army.  We got today our Presidential proclamation which will soon end the present trouble.  Our Brigadier General Piatt told Colonel Ellis that he thought thirty days would push this thing through and we would not (he thought) ever be in a battle.
 
Emma, I want to tell you something I have in my tent, a gentleman named Kalbfus, (a corporal) and he has a brother in Washington in the War Department.  His brother says he must not be here and he has got him the situation of adjutant in a new Virginia home guard [16th West Virginia] for five years. The regiment is now only about six hundred.  But will soon Kalbfus has a right to one appointment and as he and I are intimate, he wishes me to be 1^st lieutenant.  I told him I was greatly obliged to him but I thought I had better not take it for the reason that I would then have to remain here for five years to command.  Thought you would be unwilling to consent to it.  Did I do right darling?  I think that in eight months I will be honorably discharged.
 
Emma, does Pa say anything about McClellan yet, if so tell him he must not for in so doing he does not know what he says.  I thank you very much for a lock of your hair dear.  I shall always keep it.  You will not forget to send me those stamps this month.  I used the last one today. 
 
Do not ask Selah anything about the coat again for I may be home soon and will wear it myself.  He has acted weird and indifferent from what I thought he would.  Last week we got our overcoats and nice ones they are too.  
 
Now darling, you must love me ever and keep up good spirits.  The mail will soon close.  Emma have you any fears about yourself yet you know what I mean.  Tell me everything.
 
Tell Pa to write to me.
 
Give my love to all and Darling remember me who always loves you.
 
Yours forever,
 
Walter Decker
 
When you address my letters, don’t write on them except but simply my name or they will be miss directed.