Forest City Dec 22^nd 62

 

Miss Allen 

I Sometimes wonder if you ever think of me, when you are alone with your own thoughts this much I am certain of, that through the lone watches of the night, when the camp is wrapped in sleep and "I as sentry pace my beat," my thoughts go back to my native land and to the little curly haired girl that was my schoolmate in my boyhood and youth. And I almost forget that I am a man and a soldier and that time has left his traces on the brow heart and brain of what was once the / free open hearted boy. But times are sadly changed since then our country was at peace with herself and all mankind. how widely differently the case now. We hear the storm of war and see the marshalling of armed men. You may not remember it but I told you and your sister that you would see the time when you would honor the man who bore the sword and wore the helmet chain but little did I dream that the time was so near at hand, but it has come and I am engaged in the struggle with the rest. When I told you in long ago that in case of war that I should take a part you probably thought me wild and foolish but I have been as good as my word I enlisted to go South but the Savages commenced their mischief / we were sent up here to settle them and we did it to the purpose. Three or four battles satisfied them that painted savages were no match for the disciplined soldiery. The first battle that we had I was not in. some of our brave comrades fell and fill soldiers graves peace be to their ashes. in the second I took part. we lost no men either killed or wounded but the battle was a picture It took place at sunrise it was a splendid sight the long lines of glittering bayonets, the broad level meadow—like prairie skirted with green woods. Hurrying horsemen rattling cannon and caissons swept by. all was bustle and noise then all was still that auful calm before the bursting storm then came the host of painted warriors but our little band stood / firm, then came the clouds of smoke the storm of balls, then the reply that went forth from our ranks, the flash the report of the Minie rifle the hissing balls the thunder of the cannon the roaring shells singing grape shot. the shouts of our brave boys went up in one wild chorus and the tawny hosts fled and left us masters of the field The next was harder and lasted longer. for two hours and a half the fight raged with fury but it was a complete victory there by the lake side we laid five more of our companions in arms but the red men bought their lives at a terrible cost for we buried a number for the five they paid a hundred dead. For their bloody outrages they have met a dreadful retribution

 

            I must close    

 

Yours to command

Robert B. Coffin

 

R. Allen                                              

 

[margins]

 

Write to if you please Soldiers dont get too many letters

 

Direct to Company D Sixth Minnesota Volunteers Forest City Minnesota

write my name in full Robert B Coffin

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