Letter dated 12 February 1865, from Silas Doolittle, 75^th New York State Volunteer Infantry

 

            The reason why I write long letters, is, I shall expect a long one in return, and nothing pleases me better than to have you write good long ones for everything you write about, interests me.

 

            I saw the most splendid set of confiscated books sold at auction a few days ago that I ever saw. They were Audubons complete works on birds. They were beautifully illustrated and represented every bird in the known World. They were sold at $4.00 per Vol. Tell Mother I saw a beautiful shrub, or bush it should be called, that came from Italy, about 12 or 14 ft high & the prettiest pink & purple flowers on it I ever saw. It is a very rare & costly thing. /

 

I forget the name of it, but if I get any chance I will get a sample & send home—(good night)

 

Feb 13^th 8.35 A.M.

            Rather cold this morning. I have just come from breakfast. we had fried pork, hardtack & coffee—we live “just old gay”.

 

            There was some stir around town last night on account of the report that Wheelers Cavalry were going to make a raid on the city but the promised raid did not come off and it’s doubtful if it does.

 

            We are going to move out into a park as soon as they get the shantys built, and it will be a nice camp, pleasant & shady.

 

            There is “lots” of cotton moving out of the city for New York every day. I have got enough for a good bed & that is all I care about at present—

 

After we get paid I am going to send my overcoat & a number of other things home for I will have no use for them here.

 

            I suppose you still continue to hear from your J. D. yet, do you not? Does the gallant tar make his appearance yet? I suppose there are not a great many folks around Wolcott now. Do they talk of drafting any there?

 

            Hoping to hear from you soon. I will close this, but will keep writing at short intervals.

 

                                                                                    Your Loving Brother

                                                                                                Silas Doolittle

                                                                                                Co “A” 75 N.Y.V.B.

                                                                                                1^st Brig 2d Div 19^th A.C.

                                                                                                Savannah, Ga.

 

[Enclosure: newspaper clipping of poem, “The Copperheads”]

SOURCES