Fort Albany June 15th/62
Dear Wife,
I did really expect a letter
from you last night. I had a mind to
be kind of cross, but, I took a second thought,
and concluded that you had so much to
do, that you could’nt get time to write,
I’ll take the will, for the deed, and forgive
you this time. I certainly have’nt got
much to write about. Everything seems to
be going on about here, the same as usual,
There has been no excitement lately, and we
are get[t]ing kind of indolent. We are in hopes
to have another “Marching Order” excitement
soon, we dont care whether in earnest or
not, but, I do’nt have any idea, of anything
of the kind (in earnest,) for fighting seems
to be about” played out” at present.
One of my mess, has been sick for a day or
two, (Thomas full of Rockport) I gave him some
(Dr. Trues)
of that medicine ^ you sent me, and it has
done him much good, he like it much.
[page 2]
What has become of Fitzwilliam has he
forgotten that there is such a person as
Edwin Earp in the army, he (Earp) told
me last night, that he had written to
F.G. three times, and not received
any answer at all, he thinks rather hard
of him, and, I dont blame him, Earp
is yet a very firm friend of mine, and has
dome me many a favor since we left Lynn,
and I have done likewise to him.
5 o’clk P.M.
We have just been to supper, and we have
had a glorious one, We went out this after-
noon (four of us) and got lots of them, we
picked, and eat as many as we wanted, and
then, filled our dippers, to bring to camp, for
supper, we had a pint apiece for supper, well
fixed up with sugar, Strawberries are selling
here in camp every day for, from five, to ten cts.
per quart. Blackberries will be as plenty pretty
soon, as strawberries are now, after them will
come peaches, if we stay here, and maybe
we can get some of them. I guess so
[page 3]
I wonder if it is as pleasant, where you
are now, as it is here, It has been to-day, quite
cool and cloudy, but it is now cleared away,
and is very pleasant. I’d like to be with you
this evening. We would take a walk, and take
the children along with us. Would’nt we think?
You did’nt tell me how your Mother health
was, when you wrote last. I’d like to know
from week to week, so you will please not
to forget. Please tell me all or part of
what Ernie does now, and what he says
about Papa, I suppose Ernie takes care
of Sissy a part of the time now, dont he?
Is Ernie any better boy to mind now, than
he was when i was at home, or is he
about the same, You must make him
mind you at any rate, for I hope to find
a good little boy and girl, when I come
home, and if I do I’ll thank you, and Kiss
you, to pay you in part for your trouble
I cant see to write more than a minute
or two longer, for its most dark, Maybe I
will a line or two in the morning if
[page 4]
I have time before the Sutler carries the Mail
over to Washington. Please take good care
of yourself, enjoy yourself, all you can, go
visiting, have a good time generally, I dont
know but this will find you in the
country, as you spoke of going up to
Unity in one of your letters. You had better
go up and take the children with you this
summer, and have a real good time &
you could enjoy yourself very much, I’d go
if I were in your place, that is if your mothers
health will permit, Please give Mother and
Father my kindest regards for their health
and prosperity, tell your mother I often
think of her and those mince Pies
she used to make, I would’nt care if I had
one of them tonight, if we have had such
a nice supper of Strawberries.
Good night Dear Wife and little ones, I’d
like to see you all tonight, I hope to soon,
I’m now going to bed, splendid beds we have,
made on the soft side of a board with our
blanket spread on it, we prefer that way of
turning in, to sleeping on the softest of
feather beds, good health, dont need feather
beds to rest and sleep on. again good night
and believe me ever yours truly.
Robert
Letter from an unidentified soldier from Lynn Massachusetts in the 14th Massachusetts Heavy Artillery.
MSS 1242