Silas C. Doolittle to Sister, 19 January 1865
Letter dated 19 January 1865, from Silas Doolittle, 75th New York State Volunteer Infantry
 
                                                Savannah, Ga.
                                                                        Jany 19th, 1865
 
Dear Sister,
            Here I am up to my Knees in the Georgia sand as tough as a bear, and “lots” to do. We landed here last night after a somewhat stormy & tedious voyage. almost everybody was sea sick, but I stood it first rate & was not sick at all.
 
            Shermans troops ar nearly all leaving, and the talk is that our Division is going to stay here and garrison the City. I hope we will, for I have traveled around enough for the past 10 months and would be contented to rest awhile.
 
            The soil here is about the same as at Pensacola & the Climate something like Louisiana. there is oysters in abundance and they can be bought for $1.00 per bushel. Withall, I am suited with the place if we can only stay here awhile. I have not got off from my “sea legs” yet and the ground seems to be rocking & pitching, but that will be over in a few days.
 
I am now a rich man, if the possession of plenty of “live stock” makes anybody rich, for I have abundance of “grey backs”, but that is nothing new for a soldier.
 
            It looks like rain & I must close my letter & put up a tent but will try and write a longer one next time.
 
                                    Your Loving Brother
                                    Silas Doolittle
                                    Co. “A” 75 N.Y.V. Vols
                                    1st Brig 2d Div 19th A.C.
                                    Savannah, Ga.
 
Jany 20th, 1865
            Thought I would write a little more this morning. Our Colonel, Col. York, has been put in Provost Marshall & our Regt. is going to be Provost Guard of Savannah for the present, so we will have an easy time while it lasts.
 
            It rained quite hard yesterday & last night, but one good thing, there is no mud, for the sand soakes it up as fast as it comes. We are encamped about 1/2 mile out of the City, but expect to move into it to day. 2 Companies have already gone. I expect we will move into houses, so we will not have to put up tents.
 
            I was quite unwell when we left for the Valley but the Sea voyage completely cured me & now I am in good health & have a most “villianous” appetite.
 
            I hear that Wilmington has been taken. it was “a streak of luck”, our not going there. The weather does not seem to be settled yet & think we may get more rain.
 
            Shermans army is, I think, the finest looking army I ever saw, all large, stout looking men, well dressed & well fed and well behaved.
 
            I will close this now so to be in time for the mail. Now write soon.
 
                                                                                    From Your Affectionate Brother
                                                                                                Silas Doolittle
                                                                                                75 N.Y.
2526
DATABASE CONTENT
(2526)DL0525.01544Letters1865-01-19

Letter From Silas Doolittle, 75th New York Infantry, Savannah, Georgia, January 19, 1865, to His Sister


Tags: Camp/Lodging, Money, Nature, Ships/Boats, Weather, William T. Sherman

People - Records: 1

  • (1033) [writer] ~ Doolittle, Silas C.

Places - Records: 1

  • (104) [origination] ~ Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia

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SOURCES

Silas C. Doolittle to Sister, 19 January 1865, DL0525.015, Nau Collection