1st Michigan Light Artillery - Wounded at Chattanooga, TN - NEW

Item LTR-11704

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 2 pages, written in period ink.



New Madrid
September 29, 1862
 
Frank,
 
How are you tiptop? I am and wish you the same. Now I suppose you want to hear some news but I fear I shall be unable to interest you. In the first place, we are in Mississippi under Fort Thompson guns and a splendid place it is. I assure you, you ought to see the guns and ammunition the Rebels left when we drove them out. They put guns in the river in high water some of which our boys have taken out.
 
I presume you want to know how I like soldiering? Tiptop, get plenty to eat and wear and nothing much to do. I am not an officer, I am a cannoneer and Fox is a teamster at the same place. Quite a sad accident happened to one of our infantry boys the other day. Either careless or not knowing the nature of percussion shells, he was poking them with his bayonet when it exploded tearing him almost to pieces but it didn’t kill him and the doctor said he will get well. These shells are dangerous things, let one fall and it will explode.
 
How is Rufus? How is the weather? Oh, but how are the girls? Everything is lovely where the goose hangs high. The weather is cool but not any frost. One cannot stand guard at night without an overcoat. Hug the girls for me.
 
Excuse all mistakes for a poor pen and a noisy soldier is annoying who has worked on the farm, who was drafted and who has not told me who is married and who is not. Tell the girls to keep cool, the war will soon be over and I shall be home in the spring but Frank, when you have a paper to spare, just send it to me. I shall be glad for it. Give my best respects to all the folks in the neighborhood and the same to yourself there.
 
Yours Respectfully,
Henry Cox Esq
 
Address
Henry Cox
Captain De Golyer’s Battery
New Madrid, Missouri