George H. Martin to Sister, 8 January 1864
                                                                                                Long Island  Jany 8th 1864
 
Dear Sister
                        We came in here Tuesday night. we went to Fanuel Hall Monday afternoon the first view we had there was a man tied up to a post for geting drunk. it most sickend me of war. they would not let us out of the Hall. Monday night went to the Beach St Barracks had the pleasure of Sleeping on a wood pile with no coverring for us. they put Ben in the Coal pen. we got dinner in Salem He faird thard the first of it but it is not bad now We sleep/ ten of us in a tent we keep a fire at night and day so we can keep comfortable we have one loafe of bread and two pots of coffee and a peace of beef for a days ration it is all we can eat so we have some bread to waiste we have about twenty minnets work in a day. I do not think we will always fair so well Ben is in tent with me Dan would not pass the Docter on the Island so they sent him home I do not know how long they will keep us here not long I think They will not give us a ferlough to come home and it is hard for any visitors to come on/ to the Island so we can not see our friends as for going home I do not care about it for I should feel so bad to leave them I have got 7500 bounty and will get 3,2500 soon I have got my uniform and tin ware
 
I sent my close home to day I will send 10.00 to you to give fred to keep for me you write as soon as you get this
 
Direct to Long Island
Boston Harber
Co C. 2ond Detatchment
and I will get it
I will write soon
again   George H
 
You nead not get me a diara for I have got one/
 
It was a cold night night
we had all wee could do to keep warm. There is about two thousand men here now It is imposable to get any liquor here so we ar all timperance here wo
 
You would like to see us go a wading here all together it is quite exciting
I am trying to get a pass for Maria to come on and see me I do not know how I will make out. write soon as you get this
 
There is card playing here and pedlers with watches and avey thing to get the Soldiers money but they not get much frome me for I came here for money and I will take care of it
2204
DATABASE CONTENT
(2204)DL0431.01133Letters1864-01-08

Letter From Frederick Martin, 19th Massachusetts Infantry, Long Island, January 8, 1864, to His Sister


Tags: Alcohol, Bounties, Business, Food, Furloughs, Money, War Weariness, Weather

People - Records: 1

  • (1118) [writer] ~ Martin, George H.

Places - Records: 1

  • (237) [origination] ~ Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts

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SOURCES

George H. Martin to Sister, 8 January 1864, DL0431.011, Nau Collection