John McCoy, letter, to Martha McCoy, 1864 June 13
Date13 June, 1864
ms numberMS-605_15
Persistent Identifier
after coming off guard this morning it commenced to rain in
torrents and my mind perambulating and musing on the past it drew to
my recollection that this day six months or the first half year of my
absence from home has drew its slow lengths along. at least with me
but not with those that measures time with the rule of contentment, laying
on the lap of ease and luxury, but such is not the case with me
however I have no right to complain. I get all I want to eat consisting of
Bakers bread Beef fresh and salt, some pork Bisciut coffee some apples
as Baked beans and hominy a dish that you are not aquainted with it
resembles yankee samp. only that the corn is white sometimes we have
potatoes and fried ham for dinner such board in the north would be
considered good but nothing satisfies a discontented mind. I was
in hopes that time and habit would make me more reconsiled to my fate but
it seems the longer the worse. I am compeled to asociate with those
whose manners and habits are quite at variance with mine but so mite it be for the present. the only thing that
gives me any pleasure is letters from home and I am very sorry that
you think it prudent to write so seldom. there is no excuse for you, you
have plenty of material the little every day occurrences of the
children and you also of my friends and neighbors is not considered by me
either foolish or nonseneceal nonsensical. I have already
answered your letter of the 24th
ultimo and in fact I have written so often lately
I have forgot what I have written consequentily it is imposs-ible for me to rectify omissions ask for any information you want and it
will be promply answered. I am happy to say that my health is much
better than it has been for some time past my eyes are quite well and
my cough also. it is dangerus to eat any -thing green or fresh on account
of the
chronic diarehea one of my tent mates Pat Downey came off Picket last
saturady with that disease and died in hospital on Sunday evening. I
am very careful—
It is rumored here and I believe with some certainty that our
Regiment is ordered to the front at Richmond in charge of a Siege
Train or to act as infantry. I hear a lot of 100 days men are on their way
here to take our place. By the last accounts from Richmond it appears
that the two con-tending armies are in close proximity to
each other a decisive engagement must soon take place and Richmond fall
but the amount of human beings sent to eternity will be awful. do not
neglect to write to me I think the letters will follow us— I am
very uneasy about Tom his division has been in several Battles you should
try and get the N.Y. Herald where the list of Casualities are given
and ascertain if possible if he is Killed or wounded. as yet I have
heard nothing ^of^ gardner neither do I Know if
the 8th New York artillery has been sent to the
front- I think not for gardner wrote me if such would be the case N.
Ann would go to Canada—- our quarters are splendid for the
summer season we moved out of the fort some time ago By order of the
Doctor it is said into an open field at the Corner of Broad and end
streets where the air has good circulation, if we have to march I will
have to throw away the most of my clothes as my knapsack will not hold
them neither could I carry them all the little trinkets I have in my Beauro
(cigar Box) will have to be dispensed with— you mentioned in a
former letter about the distance fort Totten was from Newbern it is as
close to the west side of the city as it can be for the streets and only a
few minuets walk from any part of the wharf. get the cash from Dan
Jones or the pay for them the are worth 3 or 4 dollars- Blancheets and
Learys cost if you can
my love to you and all the children and all my friends as usual
your aff. Husband
John MCoy
I have got no pay yet their will be due at the end of this month 88
dollars. Besides 275 dollars ^Bounty^ making it
all 363 dollars which you will look after If I am among the missing you
will need it all you can also get the state aid if it is properly
looked after. if nothing happens me I will see to it before long,
there is some families the same as you getting
it from Mass be in good spirits it may all be
will with us yet. on the sixth of may when Beauregards division was
here ready to attact us after sending in a flag of truce he was
orderd to Richmond by Lee. So an earth-quake may he bid to
spare the man thats strangled by a single hair - all is fate- J.M.
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