Camp 84^th Regiment Penna Volts

May 2^nd 1864

 

Friend Abbie

                        I was the happy recipient of your ever welcome letter and carte de visite this evening, and will endeavor to express my sincere thanks for both. All alone I am going to tell you my true history as I suppose you would like to know something about the person that addresses you. I am a farmers son but never labored on the farm as I was to young. My Father died about nine years ago leaving a wife and four children to morn his death. After my Father died my Mother retired from the farm and went to Williamsburg a village about ½ a mile from the farm. You have a Father to bless you while I am an orpant, but have a fond Mother and two kind sisters to remember me while I am far away in the army of my country. I was going to school untill this war broke out and after my Mother pleaded for me not to go and my sisters caressed me and insisted / on me to stay but amid all their entreaties I would join the ranks of the brave. As yet I have not regreted the step and hope I never will. After this war is over if I am spared to return to my fond mother and sisters I hope war will never seperate me from them again.

 

            My Father was very wealthy he being the owner of four farms, but just as he was about retiring to enjoy the benefits of his many years hard labor the good God seen fit to take him unto himself. I was quite young when I entered the service and have changed (some think for the better) since then. As you was so generous in sending your carte de visite (if yours it is) I will send one in return that I got taken two years ago. I was seventeen then but since have changed considirable in evrything but looks. The same face is in that picture that addresses you tonight. All the difference is in my hight & weight. I can ashure you I am of respectable birth and proud of my name. I will not dwell on my history any longer but will give a little in evry letter. Rest ashured the picture you receive is my own as I am not desires of sending anothers, there can be no harm come from it. Please convince me in your next that this is really your own. I like the appearance of it and judging from it, I will say it's beautiful and the original is a lady of much refinement / Please excuse me for doubting your varacity as us Soldiers are very peticular in that respect. I have placed your picture in my album betwene my two sisters and will love you as a sister. If this proves a medium by which I can obtain a true friend in the original of the picture I will bless the day I saw your address.

 

            I hope your Mother will view this correspondence with nothing but friendly motives, as it is only with a desire to express my sincere thanks to the Loyal Ladies of the North for their kind attendance to the wounded and their warm sympathies for us in the field. You say your education prevents you from writing interesting letters. Of corse that is natural for you to say so, but I am of a different opinion. You wrote as I wish you to "continue the same" and you will find a true friend in me. Address me as a private and at some future time probably you will have the honor to addressing me as an officer. I am a drummer which is the same in rank as a private. We strongly anticipate a march soon but that must not prevent you from writing for we can receive mail any place we go. All is quiet in camp and I am just thinking of you as I write. What a sattisfaction it would be to both if at some future time we would meet and tell the many thoughts that occupied our minds while / we are corresponding. You must not think I am a flatterer when I talk of the fineness of your picture, far from it. I am very strait forward and mean everything I say. As it is your wish I will read your letter to know one but myself. Some think an Unknown Ladies letter is the object of much fun and amusement in camp. I will admit there is some cases of the kind but any person guilty of such an ungentlemanly act is not worthy of his existance

 

I will close by saying I am well and hope this will find you enjoying the same blessing.

 

Axcept the best wishes of your

Unknown friend & Brother

Calvin J Roller

Co "E" 84^th Regt Penn Volts

Washington, D.C.

 

P.S Write soon as it will relieve                                

the monotonies hours consiberable                

G.J.R                           

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