John McCoy, letter, to Martha McCoy, 1864 March 18
Date18 March, 1864
ms numberMS-605_10
Persistent Identifier
a few words to yourself concerning our own special business
in the first place the conditions of my enlistment were Viry I was to
get 627 dollars Bounty my monthly pay in the army 13 dollars per month
if not more and also you were to draw 12 dollars per month during the
period of my service -Called State aid for
families I being not acquainted with the regulation neglected my
business in not having you put on the allot -ment roll before leaving
Boston you living in Canada is a great obstackle in the way however
rather than loose it you will have to make a temporary residence in
Mass say 30 days that will I think
yankee -fy you - I will take the matter in hands soon and see what can
be
done in the affair. I will ^write^ to the adgutant
General in Mass Concerning it. it is worth looking after 144 dollars a
year would help you well, only for that I never would have Joined the
army. if I can obtain it I calculated to have you go to Mass every six months and draw it or go once and
appoint a suitable person to draw it for you and send a check once in
2 or 3 months. there is some talk about, not getting the full Bounty
as promised but I think it will be all right If you get the state aid
there will be 72 dollars due you on the 23 of June at a future time I
will give you all the particulars about it I assure ^you^ it makes me very uneasy at present our Captain is on
furlough now and when he joins the company I will take his advice - be
carfull of your marriage lines the maybe of use to you yet either in
the state aid or precuring a pension
if I am killed as I hear you are intitled to, you may read this to my
father if you please and to no one else if I loose it folks would only
laugh at my simplicity- as soon as possible get a stove chimney built
I think you have Brick enough if not get more - a little lime will do
get it secured for fear of fire cost what it may James Neshel son of
Joe Neshel that lived on the [illegible: [guess (MKR): farm]] is only a few tents from me the
only person that I have seen since I joind the army that I seen
before.—One of the men in my tent William French from Antrim Chains
^or^ Shanes Castle is will accquainted with our
lel relations there more in my next the sound of the bugle
stops me from writing any more to you but my heart is with you and the
children I would finish tomorrow but I am on guard
and the mail closes at 6 oclock A.M. - my health is extra good I am
fatter than I have been for many years I fancy I look as young as when
I was married- I must send you my likeness soon but the original
would be better
In haste I subscribe myself your affectionate Husband
Jno, MCoy
P.S. I will send you a long letter soon I could write a volumn to
you and then something would be omited still- Aby be good to
your mother and if ever I get home you will not be sorry for so
doing J.M
This postscript is written sideways across the top of the
first page of the letter.
a Battle is expected here daily the Rebels are threatning
us with 47 thousand men our force here is small to
compete with them every letter I write I think may be the
last yours J.M.
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