John McCoy, letter, to Martha McCoy, 1864 October 9

[illegible][guess (SYA): nighest] camp to the principal streets of the city yesterday I had the unpleasant duty to perform of attending a militiary funeral in the city the main thoroughfares seemed to be nearly all deserted by their former occupants the stores Groceries offices and places of amusement is closed and in fact business of all kinds is suspended. the private residents of the city that were able has all [illegible][guess (SYA): flown] to places of refuge until the dreadful epidemic has has passed over the doomed city. Beaufort and other places near here is also suffering even at Camp Palmer three miles in front of Fort Totten the [illegible][guess (SYA): 12]th N.Y. Cav. is suffering considerable we are in the center of the disease and has every reason to be thankful for our deliverance thus far. since yesterday morning the weather has been quite cool here. it is the first atmos -pheric change of the season we are all wearing overcoats and quite chilly at that, although at the north to-day would be called a pleasant harvest day the Doctor says a few more such days will arrest the progress of the

fever if not entirely cause its disappearance I sincerely hope the cool weather may continue. The Rebels is getting a little troublesome here once more I suppose it is on account of the great sickness prevailing here. nothing worthy of particular notice has happened here yet in the fighting line the night before last a few of our pickets (2d Mass) were shot and some captured by the Guerllas - I am quite lonesome for want of northern papers the last we got here was the N.Y. "Herald" of the 1st inst at that time the progress of the union army was quite favorable to a speedy conclusion of the war, and as for political news we are kept entirely in the dark, as far as I can ascertain the Troops are pretty much unanimous in favor of "Little Mae" there is one thing I notice the Greenback is getting better the last quotation Gold was 194 leaving ^a dollar^ worth 52.c I think it will fall gradually —

visit to the old homestead in Canada I fancy that I see the cold white frosts in the morning. the foliage of the trees are turned yellow the wind is flowing for I can see the leaves falling from the trees and lighting on the Bye [illegible][guess (MKR): road] as in former times again I think I hear the cold fall rain spatter on the shingles all betokening that the cold winter is drawing nigh such I presume in reality is the case which draws the conclusion that I should send you some money to enable you to provide what is necessary to make you comfort -able till the ensuing spring. but "Alas" it is out of my power at present as I do not expect to get paid until next month. there is six months pay due the last of this month. all the rest of the Troops have been paid in this [illegible][guess (SYA): department] only 2.d Mass. perhaps it is all for the best. the 15th Conn. were paid and dearly are the paying for their dissipation in the rum shops and Brothels of the city our Reg.t would be as bad if not worse had they the money - my best respects to all who thinks of me my love to you and the children and may God protect you and watch over you