John McCoy, letter, to Martha McCoy, 1864 May 6
Date6 May, 1864
ms numberMS-605_13
Persistent Identifier
your much looked for favor came to hand yesterday unl- -ooked ^for^ as I had come to the
clonclusion that you had adopted the system of silence however it was
still received with unusual gratification by me as anything in the
shape of a letter from you in these times is read and reread by me to
divert my hearing organs from the noisy hum that that continually
surrounds me do not think for a moment that
^in^ writing to me about the childrens little amuse
-ments and fun will be considered simple or foolish it is the most select
part of the letter and a relation of all the little inci -dents that
happens. There is almost as valuable to me as jewels- I am as usual
grateful to hear that you are all well thank God for it. I am able to say
my health is some better than what it has been for some time past the
cough has vanished but my left eye still troubles me I use the sulphate of Zinct as usual and when applied
regular relieves me very much. I am got quite thin of flesh and I am
glad of it ^it^ is much better for the warm weather
I eat very little food and I am careful of what I do eat as the diareheea has commenced with it usual ravages
among the men — there is new potatoes here this some time garden
peas are ripe all kinds of greens are in use here for weeks past strew
berries are all done apples are about fit for use Black berries and
Huckle Berries are ripe but I indulge in nothing green which goes very
hard with me I sometimes buy a little cheese at 30c. per pound to eat to my bread cheese are considered
a preventative for the summer complains I use every precaution to preserve
my health intact— one word for all you must write often or
never mind me I will write when it answers— all is good here and
has been for some time the "Battle at Newern" you spoke of was in
Virginia not here. please send me all the papers you can try and write
every week it is all the comfort I have I wrote to you 3 or 4 times
last month I also wrote the second time to Herdman it is not advisable
for me to write much to you at present- I saw that my
Greggs division crossed the Rapidan at Ely's ^ford^
faught at Ladds tavern and Spatsilvania Court House the list of
casualities of the N.Y. Troops were not given in Boston papers the
N.Y. Herald I could not get I entertain great fears for him (Thomas)
Gardner I do not know anything about. if the 8th N.Y. has been sent to the front it is impossible to get a
letter from him at present however I will write to him and ascertain
as far as possible his whereabouts if
possible I have written so much to you I have forgot what I
have written in previous letters. McCurrys
address I lost send it to me again I will attend to Blanchette the
rascal try and get my (7 or 8 dollars) Jus from his property and also
from Leary-get the cash from dan Jones or [illegible]
pay for them 3 or 4 dollars use as litte money as you can for a few weeks
till we see the results at Richmond a union Victory
there would help the money. Margaret Gibson will suit Ellen
well I am glad she is engaged do the best you can and be lively and
hope for the best
my love to you all in haste
John M.Coy
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