Francis C. Miller to Agnes F. Voris, 26 June 1864
City Point Va. June 26th 1864
My Dear Agnes
this warm sabbath morning I am seated in my canvass shelter to write you my regular weekly letter since I last wrote to you I have not been doing any fatigue duty our company does nothing but guard duty on the ponton property which makes it very easy for us we are lying in a very pleasant place with the exceptions of dust from the roads which are traveled so much we have splendid water which is more than half to a soldier considering all things our company is very fortunate and I am well satisfied last night the two armies were fighting but with what success to our army I have not learned we are about nine miles distant from the rebles and the fire of small arms was so heavy and rapid we could hear them distinctly I heard from my brother a/few days ago he was well he is along with sheridan with the cavalry and is in charge of an ammunition train his time will be out in august he did not reenlist I guess he is getting tired as well as my self though I wait patiently for my time to come home when I hope I will be as happy a mortal as ever left the army to return home. I am in good health and spirits and will try to keep so there is very little sickness in the army though the weather is very warm and dry we have not had a drop of rain for three weeks and in a climate like this I tell you the air becomes very hot I would give amost any thing to see it rain about six hours and with it thunder it would put new life in man and beast here but an alwise providence knows what is best and we must not grumble. it is now six oclock a m and while writing this to you I am eating my breakfast which is composed of bread and coffee hearty breakfast isent it well us soldiers are very often very thankful to get as much I think the energy of many a man keeps him alive more so than what he eats. but us soldiers are/not strong like we were when we left our homes it will take some time after our return to recuperate and be once more like we were but if we are blest with health to return it will not take us long to grow strong on good living. you know when I am well I can eat enough to grow strong on but since I have been soldiering I do not require so much to eat as when I was working at heavy work. there is not much news during the last week both armies have been maneuvering to gain good positions and have not done much fighting but I fear this week will be one of much bloodshed the army on both sides are getting very uneasy and will not ly in active long I have given you about all the news from the army at this point and my Dear Agnes I will not continue my letter much longer hoping her whom I love dearly will receive this in due season. trusting that ere long we shall meet to press each other to our hearts I remember well our parting now which was an affectionate kiss. let our meeting be sealed by the same, if it be our fortune to be spared by the preserver of all lives my love to one and all reserving for your self the portion which is fully due you and that portion is all
[margin] from your true and affectionate lover F C Miller to Agnes F Voris
1206
DATABASE CONTENT
(1206) | DL0170.094 | 20 | Letters | 1864-06-26 |
Letter From Sergeant Francis C. Miller, 50th New York Engineers, City Point, Virginia, June 26, 1864, to Agnes F. Voris, Northumberland, Pennsylvania; Accompanied by Cover
Tags: Courtship, Discharge/Mustering Out, Fighting, Food, High Morale, Love, Mail, Nature, Siege of Petersburg, Weather
People - Records: 2
- (476) [writer] ~ Miller, Francis Carpenter
- (477) [recipient] ~ Voris, Agnes Forsyth ~ Miller, Agnes Forsyth
Places - Records: 2
- (176) [origination] ~ City Point, Prince George County, Virginia
- (278) [destination] ~ Northumberland, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania
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SOURCES
Francis C. Miller to Agnes F. Voris, 26 June 1864, DL0170.094, Nau Collection