John McCoy, letter, to Martha McCoy, 1864 April 21

Author McCoy, John

Date21 April, 1864

ms numberMS-605_12

Persistent Identifier
Dr Martha
Your letter of the 11th inst. I rec.d yesterday together with the other appendages socks papers ^&^ stamps as usual it brightened a little the clouded atmosphere that continally surrounds me here I am always glad to hear (were that daily) from you and the Children and in fact from all my friends especially when the news is congenial to my wishes
I was surprised to see such a large [illegible][guess (SYA): amnt] of postage stamps on the socks. I am shure that I told you what the postage was in a former letter however you may not have understood me. the package only weighed 8 ounces 16 cents postage. in place of 53 the law says that woolen cotten or linen goods sent to soldiers for clothing shall pay 8 cents for every 4 ounces or fraction ^thereof^ the postage on the socks should only be 16 cents
I was glad to see the socks and at the same time I regreted that you sent them when I thought that before long another person might be wearing such nice socks not intended for them. I had 4 pair of ^socks^ good socks in good order when [illegible][guess (SYA): the came]. I cut the top of some which ^made^ splendid heels for the others wh with little trouble sewing them in and I am pretty expert with the needle already I could keep my self in good socks from this [illegible] by doing so as the boys throw them away when the break in the heels — I am glad you are pleased with the stove I was only afraid the price was to small for it to be good. the heifer may do well enough but two good cows the way Butter is selling would have helped you well this summer. I think you might live better and cheaper by using some pork and fish in the summertime. I have rec.d no pay yet nor do I think the money will come untill the middle of May and then only part of it in two days 52 dollars will be owing me and when ^paid^ you will get it by express
I may say my health is tolerable good but nothing to brag of my eyes trouble me consi -derable with the inflamation as usual - when I first inlisted and went to Fort [illegible][guess (SYA): Meigs] I caught a severe cold and its effects follows me. yet though I hope the cough is not so dangerous as might be anticipated. I have no means whatever here of either curing my cough or my eyes. there is no prescription here by the militiary doctor in the way of medecine but pills or amputation of the [illegible][guess (SYA): posteriors] neither have I money to employ a city doctor the grain fields here looks beautiful and the fruit trees has been in bloom for some time in fact all the face of nature looks gay except what ^God^ he created after his own im -age and he looks with a suspicious eye even at his own shadow, -our duty here is very severe every alternate night on guard the day I am at my quarters I am employed cleaning my gun and equipments for mou -nting guard the next morning or drilling on the heavy guns and when unemployed
for a short time my brain is so confused that it is morally impossible for me to write anything in the shape of a letter — a Battle is expected here daily in fact we are waiting every minute for the long roll to beat to arms. Fighting is going on all around us, nearly all of the troop here has been sent to Little Washington Plymouth and Roanoake Island as reinforcements to our troops only a few companies are left to do garison duty and should the Rebels make the attack in our present position Newbern and the ports would ^fall^ an easy pray for ^to^ them, a report has reached me since writ -ing the above that a vesel is coming up the river with troops for this place I hope it may be true it may save some of us from a long visit to the Libby prison at Richmond — I was agreeably surprised on receiving [illegible] [guess (SYA): Herdman's] letter I almost fancied I was talking to him in the office but when the delusion vanished and sad reality came to view I [illegible][guess (SYA): got]> very uncomfortable the rest of the day I wrote a long letter to friend Arthur on the [illegible] [guess (SYA): 7th inst.] and I am almost afraid it was intercepted before leaving Fort Totten on account ^[below]of^
some trouble between the men and the officers concerning rations the men of Co. C. presented a very respectable petition to the Captain setting forth their grievances in such a manner ^concerning^ rations & Company funds that it was hard to doge without acceeding to what was prayed for. Threats were also used by some of the men that if a remedy was not adopted immedia -tely letters would reach ^the^ northern press where the whole matter would be painted in its true colors. a young chap of considerable ability in the next [illegible][guess (SYA): stockade] to mine and the writer was of [gap: hole] for taking a prominent part in the affair, hence my suspicion of letters being until stoped until the difficulty was settled. Brother Davids letter was thankfully received and a reply to it will be paid attention to as soon as the impending danger blows over if ^[inline]I^ survive —
I am not much in debt to the [illegible] [guess (SYA): sutler] yet although everything here commands an awful price Butter 80 c Cheese 45 c sugar 30 c [illegible][guess (SYA): -130] c for a large plug of tobacco and every thing in proportion 125 c for tapping Boots as I had to pay that in cash I pay for my washing now I think I have a enough to do [illegible][guess (SYA): without] that that is shirts & drawers, socks pants towels & [illegible][guess (SYA): Handkefs] and gloves I wash myself. mind and make the best use of the money you can [illegible] [guess (SYA): trading] where you can get the best value at least I think you can buy flower in Chateaugay the [gap: hole] the above the Boat has come to the wharf with the 158 N.Y infantry - plymouth is taken by the Confederates killing and capturing all our forces at that place it is not far from here, the Rebel ram is making awful work among our gun Boats - this may never reach you
your affectionate Husband John M.Coy
The postscript appears at the top of the first page of the letter.
24th I was at a militiary fun -eral yesterday Capt. Flisson Com.der of a gun Boat taken By the Rebels the are attack -ing with 15 or 20000 men and a large army train — in haste mail closing
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