Letter dated 14 April 1864, from Silas Doolittle, 75^th New York State Volunteer Infantry

 

                                                                                    Camp of Distribution, Va.

                                                                                                April 14^th, 1864

 

Dear Sister,

I now improve the present oppertunity of writing to You to inform You how I am getting along.

 

we are in the same camp that we were when I wrote last although we have got things rather more “Ship Shape”. I am going to send you my likeness. the one with a light Mustache is Jack Grant & the other is our 1^st Sargt, Fred Cossum. I wish You would get 1/2 Dozen more of them Photos of mine struck off & send to me so that I can trade with some of the Boys for theirs.

 

there was a Milk Peddler here in Camp last Night & when he started to go home he fell out of His cart & the wheel run over his head & Completely Scalped him. I hear this Morning that he is dead.

 

Clark Grant & Myself got a Pass Day Before Yesterday & went over to Fort Foote where Cos G. C. D. & E. of the 9^th N.Y. “Artillery” are stationed. I saw a great many that I knew. I saw T. & F. Plank & Harry Smith, Abe Wolven, Albert Currie, Frank Woodruff, Lew Smith & Abe Eggnor & others too numerous to mention. they have got a fire place to stay & had ought to be contented. we staid till Yesterday & had a fine time & a pleasant trip.

 

tell Ask Mother if she will send me $10, for I am rather short, but we expect pay before long. if she will. tell Her to send a greenback, for that is the only Kind of Money that will pass here. the reason that makes me so short is that I have been lending to the Boys that had none & now I find Myself in the same fix.

 

there is some talk of putting us in Infantry, & if they do I am going to Enlist in the Navy & so is most all of our Company. but I guess there will be no danger.

 

we have good water, & near by & have plenty of fun & not much to do. things, I find, are a great deal cheaper here than in Louisiana. My health is good. I think I never felt Better in my life.

 

how does Polly & White Eye get along? do You tie any strings on their tails or get them fighting?

 

Now, I want You to send me your Photo the first oppertunity, & have Mother get hers & send too.

 

I guess it is time to draw this to a close, but I will write again soon. Give my love to Mother & Phebe Ann, & my Respects to all inquiring friends.

 

                                                                                    Your Affectionate Brother

                                                                                                Silas Doolittle

P.S. Direct to: Silas Doolittle

                        Co H.

                        75^th Regt., N.Y.V.V.

                        Washington, D.C.

                                                your T.J.

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