John McCoy, letter, to Martha McCoy, 1864 January 26
Date26 January, 1864
ms numberMS-605_04
Persistent Identifier
It was not my intention to write to you again until I
received an answer to my letter of the 17th
instant, but I feel so lonesome that when I am off duty or not employed
in cleaning my accoutrements that the thoughts of of home so often
occurs to my mind that the only relief I have for a distracted ^mind^ is to converse with you through the medium of
the pen I forgot to mention that in my last letter that I
wrote you a few lines while stopping in Philadelphia informing you of my
where- abouts and containing a small account of
of my transactions since I parted you I mentioned in it also
that my destination was Newbern North Carolina and for you to forward
a letter to me as quick as possible and if you received it I have every
reason to believe from your past kindness to me and forgiving nature
that you would not be
the cause of keeping me one moment in suspense or anxiety of mind on
account of not writing to me. You have no conception whatever how my
heart would Jump with Joy when the orderly is calling out the list of
letters for the soldiers in my company if ^my^ name
should be mentioned as one of the receipitants of such a favor I
almost think I should hear from you daily if such were possible, on
last Saturday evening when the order was given for the company to turn out
for letters I slowly stepped out to my tent door not expecting any for
me but when my name was called with giant strides I walked up to the
sergeant and with a trembling hand grasped my letter and on looking at the
back of the envilope
alas it was not your writting but I soon
recognised the familiar hand of A. Gardner Stamped in Baltimore - on
our transit here from Boston we came into Baltimore on Monday morning
and remained there until Tuesday evening about 4 oclock not knowing all the
time until a few hours before I left that Gardner and
my sister were in the city. by chance I fell into conversation with one of
the 10th Maine and on enquiry he informed me
that he was acquainted with Gardner and Nancy-Ann was in the city in
lodgings. he went and brought in one of Gardners company into the
refreshment Saloon where I was, who kindly consented to carry a letter
for me to Fort M.c Henry Gardners head
quarters. I looked anxiously for a visit from them until we marched off to
the wharf and even then till we lift the shore the letter on reaching
fort M.c Henry found him not there he was in
the city with his wife. and when it reached him he started in search
of me it was to late the Boat had sailed the second day after he wrote
the above named letter stating that he and N. Ann were all the time I
stopped in Baltimore about 100 Rods from me he requested me to write
to him often which opportunity i Intend to embrace. Gardner says
Thomas is at Bristol with the Army of Potomac I almost
forgot to mention that Nancy Ann could hardly be restrained from
running to the Bay in order if possible to get a glimpse of me before
I lift — —I mentioned in my last letter that I sent you
$325 dollars to Chateaugay you get will get it from the
Town Treasurer or clerk in the last I sent you some of the particulars
about it, be careful of the money as my life is uncertain here the
climate is very unhealthy and the small pox is raging in the city
several houses have been burned already to prevent it spreading.
Enclosed I will risk sending you five dollars a present for Ely the rest If I live will get theirs in due
time. be good to Albert as I expect he will have to work. I am very
uneasy to hear if you got the money. I will have to procure larger
paper and write smaller as I have only commenced
my love to my family and friends all without respect to
any.
John M.Coy
The postscript is written sideways across the top of the
first page of the letter.
P.S. I am healthy and fatter than you ever seen me
before & I have a good appetite Beef Bread Beans
pork rice & coffee are done justice to Tulips
are in Bloom here it is the month of May in Hincinbrooke
This line is written upside down on the upper right
side of the page. Some news papers if you please
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