27th Massachusetts Infantry - Twice Wounded

Item LTR-11669

Description

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


New Bern, North Carolina
 July 30^th 1863
 
Dear Father and Mother,
 
Although it is now past eleven o’clock, I will commence a letter to you knowing you are anxious to hear from me often.  I do not want you to worry so much about me.  I am getting along nicely.  Am healthy and tough most of the time.  I am having a good deal to do now as Captain Moore is absent and Lieutenant Fowler is sick.  We expect Captain to return next week and I really do hope he will.  We miss him very much indeed.  It is very late.  I will not try to finish my letter tonight and guess I will retire.  Good night.
 
July 31^st – I will now finish my letter, although am feeling very bad.  I did not eat any breakfast but took a dose of Rhubarb and hope to feel better soon.  It is very warm this morning after our hard rain storm.
 
Well Parents, I have no news to write you of importance.  There is not at the present time but very few troops in New Bern.  All of the contraband troops have gone to South Carolina, and also an expedition has gone up the Chowan River taking eleven days’ rations.  They are there to protect a bridge over South River while a cavalry force crosses and is to remain there during its absence.  The cavalry we understand is going to Weldon.  General Foster is in town now.  He now has command of the Department of North Carolina and Virginia.
 
I have not got any uniform yet but expect it any day.  Well parents, I have made an attempt to come home.  I sent in my applications for a furlough about one week ago but do not expect to get it, as there are none granted.  I shall have Milo come with me, if I can get him a furlough.  Milo is well and enjoying himself finely.  I am anxious to go as soon as possible.
 
Well Father, how do you get along with your haying and are you having any help?  You must not try to do it alone.  How are all the folks in Granville and what is the news?  I see the names of my old acquaintances are among strangers in the list of drafted but suppose they will all pay $300.  War, war, war.  No man had better mention to me while I am at home.  I do not want to talk of war as I had enough of it.  But parents, you must not look for me at all.  As it is very uncertain whether I come for two months.  I did not intend to send in my application now, but a Captain of our regiment, an intimate friend of mine, was going and wanted me to accompany him and I have made an effort with him.  Our papers are now in Headquarters.  My friends all seem very anxious for me to come home this summer and I shall be very happy to satisfy those wishes.  We have one man only absent on a furlough.  A sergeant from Southwick.  He is now sick at home.  I was much pleased with the things you sent me and I shall kindly repay you when I do come home.
 
Milo sends love to you all and he will write in a few days.  As I have nothing further to say, I will close my letter.  But once again, I say do not look at all for me at home.  I will surprise you at all events when I do come.  I shall appear to you at the back door hoping that I may come on a month’s passes.  I will close with a kind goodbye to you all.  I shall be very glad to have you write to me often.  I will write as often as convenient.
 
You can rest assured that I will take good care of myself and work on the economic system all together.
 
Your absent and obedient son,
 
Lieutenant S. P. Cooley