Samuel W. Croft to Sarah McKelvey, 23 June 1861
Camp Scott, S. I. June 23rd 1861
 
Dear Sister.
                        The Captn arrived all safe Friday evening. I am very thankful for your kindness, Mother not forgotten. The Capn told me that Mother had bought a book for me, for which she had paid a dollar, when he came to open his trunk the book was not there, but there is a big box comeing for the company, it may be in it. Yesterday we were sworn into the US Service for three years if not sooner discharged, but one man in the company refused to take the oath, that was the Orderly Sargeant 4th officer of the company. 
 
We are all as usual in good health and spirits. They were going to take our second Leutenant from us and appoint a West Point Cadet in his place. this went against our stomac. we began to make preperations for laving, when they came to the wise conclusion of leting our officers remain as they were, and gave us a written agreement to that effect. we musterd in and took the oath at once. We almost shook the Captn to pieces whe he arrived, there is five times more affection in our company between the officers & men than any other company on the ground for my part Capn Brunn has far surpassed my expectations of him. My love to Mother yourself & Feilbachs. Respects to Mc, Kiss Harry for me. Remember me to all who may inquire. Sis you must not feel / uneasy because you have not plenty of gold, for my part I am in the best of spirits, there is many a poor devil in the army who has never a friend to send him a cent of money or a word of kindness and advice. True we may never meet again, but for my part I am eager to lend my aid. if I fall it will be in a good cause, but some will return to their friends, and I have as good a chance as any one. I am cannot express my gratification at the news of Ben's escape from the Southron Hell.
                                                                       
Your Affectionate Brother
Sam W Croft
 
Friend Rifles, Captn Brunn
            Excelsior Brigade Camp Scott
                        Staten Island NY
14109
DATABASE CONTENT
(14109)DL1923.003203Letters1861-06-23

Tags: Duty, Leadership (Soldiers' Perceptions of), Money, News, Oaths of Allegiance, Reading

People - Records: 2

  • (5032) [writer] ~ Croft, Samuel W.
  • (5033) [recipient] ~ McKelvey, Sarah ~ Croft, Sarah

Places - Records: 1

  • (3039) [origination] ~ Staten Island, Richmond County, New York

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SOURCES

Samuel W. Croft to Sarah McKelvey, 23 June 1861, DL1923.003, Nau Collection