34th New Jersey Infantry

Item LTR-11214

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 3 pages, written in period ink.



Headquarters, 34^th New Jersey Volunteers
3^rd Brigade, 2^nd Division, 16^th Army Corps
Montgomery, Alabama
 
May 7^th [1865]
 
My Dear Mother,
 
A large mail has arrived, but no letter for me. I am afraid something is the matter with you.  For your last letter was dated March 20^th and received April 9^th. Some of my letters from Dauphin Island or Fish River must have reached shortly after you wrote on the 7^th. However, write to me as soon as you can without waiting for regular letters.  For in our present position, it will take nearly a month for letters to reach us from the North.
 
I have nothing of importance to write about now than I wrote to you a few days ago. We are lying quietly in camp, resting and waiting very impatiently for the arrival of the Paymaster. General Smith, commanding the Army, has publicly stated that he will not move until his command is paid and clothed. By arrivals here today, we learn that Paymasters are on their way here from New Orleans, in which case we will be in funds again this week.
 
In your last letter you speak of Chase Parsons.  Do you know where he is? If he is still at Evansville?  I would like to pay him the $35 he loaned us five years ago. I was wrong in part of my letter of the 2^nd inst. The law passed by Congress was to give officers in the service at the conclusion of the war 3 months pay proper, which amounts to about $160.
 
Now that I am in a position to save a little money, there is every prospect of our being mustered out in a few months. I must urge you again to keep what money I send you, until we find out what we are to do after the war. I have just seen one of the clerks from Headquarters, who says he received four or five letters this mail. One of them may be from you.  I shall see him tomorrow most probably. In the meantime, I send you these few lines to assure you that we are both well and strongly hope to hear from you every day with the news that you are well or better than you have been lately.
With much love.
 
I am yours affectionately,
 
C. C. Badger
 
Direct as usual to:
Assistant Surgeon
34^th New Jersey Volunteers
3^rd Brigade, 2^nd Division, 16^th Army Corps
Via Mobile, Alabama