Head Quarters of the 7^th Reg^t NY.

Heavy Artillery. Ft Pa. Feb 1^st 1863

 

Dear Friend.

                                    It is just a month to day since I received your welcome letter. I have not seen a well day since, and that is the reason why I have not answered your letter I do not feel like writing this afternoon but I thought it would not do to wait any longer, even if I could not think of much to write. Things go on about the same here the men eat, drink, drill, and do guard, and picket duty. We have had a severe storm of rain, and wind. a few days after there came one that lasted two days of snow and wind / both storms were terrible ones where men are exposed to them we have some streaks of sunshine. But we may not expect many more bright days before “Spring time comes again” We have lots of mud the roads are in a miserable condition. I received a few lines a few days ago from Susan that came in Elias’s letter a day or two ago Elias showed me a letter you wrote to him. I was surprised to hear of Frank Martin’s death. one year ago he was so strong, and full of life. It appears to me the people have got the marriage fever. I never heard it equalled. I suppose the boys tell the Girls that they will enlist, and go, and get killed if they wont marry them. / So they conclude that two hearts can stand more sorrow than one, and they unite. “A twofold cord is not easily broken” I spent Christmas, and New Years, the same as any other day. I went to Washington after the mail. We had extra’s for dinner each day. The dinner New Years day is the last meal that has tasted good to me I have not been well since, and my appetite has been very poor. Oh how good some home victuals would taste. To day is cloudy with the prospect of another storm. I pity the poor Soldiers in the front. The 10^th Reg^t were so slow and contrary they got sent off a great ways if they had been sent down here most all would have deserted I guess. I must close. Direct To Co C 7^th Reg^t N.Y. Heavy Artillery.

 

Write Soon.                             Washington, DC.

                        Yours Truly    Stephen R Whitney.

 

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We have not been paid yet postage stamps and money are very scarce down here.

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