1862 Irksome Journey To Washington DC Civil War Soldier Letter 24th NY #8

  
K, 24th Reg't, NYSV, was killed at 2nd battle Bull Run Letter of 2/6/1862 to his wife Lestina. Irksome Journey To Washington DC. Camp McDowell Feb 6th'62. My dear wife, I received your last letter dated Jan 30th last night. I see by that that you have not gone back to the manor yet. You spoke of not receiving any letter from me in a week, but probably that matter is righted by this time. I suppose that is on account of the trains being unable to run regular.

I just learned that Hiram Stacey has lost one of his boys by the measles, the youngest I believe. I sympathize with him although far away. I feel thankful it is not ours.

I feel certain that I need not caution you about taking Hattie so as to expose her for I feel sure that you would not. How I should like to see her sweet little face and kiss those little cheeks. I sometimes think that she will not own me for a father if I have to stay away two years. Does she talk any yet, has she got so that she can walk. I have renewed hope that she will make a singer for you say that she can squeal pretty loud.

I should like to be there and hear her and sing to her. Ain't she a great deal of company to you with all the trouble. I don't believe you would part with her. I shall be so very glad when I can come back and live with you.

I think I shall wait until the third call next time. It is nothing but an aggravation here to see a woman, some have their wifes here with them.

Cap't Hutchinson's wife is here and he has hired her board at a private house a short distance from camp. Now if my circumstances would only admit of it, I would have you out here a week or two, but it would be too much of a journey for you to bring Hattie along, and you know it is her I want to see, you, you know why I don't care to see, joking again, eh? I used to think that my own sex was the best bedfellows in the world, but how changeable man is. Now I would not give you for a thousand of them no not if each one's pockets were filled with gold. What is it wife that makes man and woman so inseparable.

The marriage bond says that man and wife become one, well I suppose we are all apt to love ourselves better than anybody else, and I suppose according to the old proverb "woman is the better part of man" therefore I love you better than myself. I and Redway went over to the city yesterday, we went down to Alexanders Alexandria? On the cars and then on the boat to Washington. We went over partly for recreation and partly on business. The doctor brought with him a trunk filled with provisions and clothing for the brigade hospital sick and also the candles and stationery that you, my good wife, sent to an underserving husband, this sheet is one of them that you sent to me.

It was eleven o clock when we got to the city and the first thing that we done was to go to the army express office to see if anything was there for Co. K or any of its members. Not finding anything there we next went to the Adams express office to try our luck there, but met with the same results. I can not account for the delay of the box that the Munnsville people sent on here on the ninth day of January. Redways wife sent him some things in it so of course he felt interested in finding it.

I then went to Whitehursts gallery Washington D. To have my portrait taken, but it could not be done in less than an hour. I found that our limited space of time would not allow me to wait so long so I had to come away without it.

On our way up we accidentally met Sergeant Hamar of Co. G who said that he and the hospital steward were over with the four horse ambulance and could carry the trunk over, which would save taking it round by Alexandria.

We accepted the offer and then went in pursuit of the steward and driver, but after an hour and a half fruitless searching we gave up the search and concluded that they had gone home. We got some dinner then went after the trunk. It was now three o clock and the boat left for Alexandria at half past.

We tried hard to get there but she had just left the wharf as we got there, so we have to wait for the next boat which left ar half past four, we got to Alexandria at five, but only to find ourselves obliged to ride on shankes pony (walk) to camp, a distance of 7 miles. The trunk we left to be brought up on the morning train. We were all good natured fellows, like the three tailors, and commenced our journey with a will.

We got to camp about 8 o clock, tired enough and hungry for we eaten but once since morning. And what do you think I had for supper, coffee and bread, was not that an inviting repast an hungry man. Wife I shall be perfectly satisfied after I come home with what you cook. I ment to have sent you more, but my expenses have been greater than I anticipated. My love to all, you have my heart and hand, so all love to you. Good bye God bless you. Letter and envelope in good antique condition. TEEAR, FRANK (FRANCIS) Age, 27 years.

Enlisted, May 7, 1861, at. Ellisburg, to serve two years; mustered in as private, Co.

K, 24th Reg't, NYSV. May 17, 1861; promoted sergeant, date not stated; killed. August 30, 1862, at Bull Run, Va. Also borne as Frank Tear. Enlisted, May 7, 1861, at Pierrepont Manor, to serve two years; mustered in as private, Co.

K, May 17, 1861; promoted corporal, January 1, 1862; sergeant, March 1,1863; mustered out with company, May 29, 1863, at Elmira, N. Enlisted, May 7, 1861, at Sandy Creek, to serve two years; mustered in as sergeant, Co. G, May 17, 1861; promoted first sergeant, September 1,1862; mustered out with company, May 29,1863, at Elmira, N. Enlisted, May 7, 1861, at Belleville, to serve two years; mustered in as sergeant, Co.

K, May 17, 1861; died of disease, December 21, 1861, in Brigade Hospital, at Upton's Hill, Va.