Post Office of the 113^th Reg^t N Y Vol’s

Fort Pennsylvania Nov 29^th 1862

          

Dear Friend,

                                                                                                            Your letter dated the 1^st ins^t was received on the 3^rd I was pleased to receive a letter from you. I was glad to hear that you was well. You need not be afraid of me criticizing your literary talents for I have got none myself, and as for grammar I never studied that in my life. I always thought it was silly when I was small, but of late years I can see that I was in an error. I could not see any sense in a class of girls and boys saying I love, I did love, and we love, &c, But in after years when I and time grew older, I did like to talk about Love but I wanted / to be next to the head of the class, and I only wanted two in the class, and the other one a sweet girl. How does that correspond with your notions of talking about love. Me thinks I hear you say I hear enough of this. I guess you will think I am in good spirits. well so I am. I never enjoyed better health in my life, And I did not come here to brood over my trials and privations. I came here for a higher, and nobler purpose I came to serve my Country in this her dark, and perilous hour. I came to lift my feeble arm in her defence. I mean to look on the bright side of things. My unprofitable life is laid on the Altar of Our Country. I will not fear what man can do unto me. death / has no terrors for me.

 

Post Office Building Washington DC.

December 2^nd 1862

I guess you will think my letter is about all post-office. that is the field of my operations now, but I do not know how long I will be employed there. The other evening I was getting along finely with this when all of a sudden one of the Captains came in with word to me from my Captain that I must be on hand the next morning at 7 oclock for to appear on Monthly inspection. 7 oclock comes early in the morning now and after getting up and putting on harness, I had to walk nearly a mile to where Co. C is camped. the Co has moved to Ft Kearney but our address is the same. It is not nescessary to put on the name of the fort when writing to us. I was going to say I / have not had time since that night until now to finish this letter. even now I have to write standing while the other mail carriers are continually joggling me—It is just four months to day since I enlisted. To view it one way it seems a long time, But to look at it another way it does not seem long—Congress is in session now if I remain mail carrier I intend to go in and look at Our big men. I suppose you get all the war news about as soon and as correct as we do we have not had a great deal lately There is always a heavy battle impending—I frequently see Elias and Gilbert Keenholts. they are well, full of life. Gilbert often tells me that he is better pleased with his present employment than any he ever was engaged in before—I wish I had time to write more but I’ll have to close and wait until I hear from you

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