John McCoy, letter, to Martha McCoy, 1864 October 15
Date15 October, 1864
ms numberMS-605_25
Persistent Identifier
Your letter of the 26th
ultimo came to hand late last night and I avail
myself of the early opportunity of sending you a reply although it is
uncertain when letters will be allowed to leave the city on account of
the yellow fever which prevails here to an alarming extent. while it is
gratifying to learn that you and the children are in good health I
regret very much to learn that my father is so weakly I am also sorry
to hear that he has any mental suffering from domestic trouble. his extreme
old age connected with his mental and bodily in -firmities
renders him an unfit subject to be harassed the time has gone past
when he could bear it all I wish to say to him
^is^
[illegible][guess (MKR): court]
[illegible][guess (MKR): contentment]
under all circumstances it is the only solace and best nostrum for old
age. experience the best monitor has
taught me a lesson for the last few weeks that will have a lasting
impression on my memory. you all ought to be thank -ful
that you are living in a healthy country and where if ^you^ are sick you can be properly attended. here the stretcher
our first and then the dead Cart. I will not give you a detailed
account of the ravages here let ^it^ suffice to say
I am living in the midst of death so far the camp at Fort Totten has
escaped tolerable will but the disease is spreading fast around us in
spite of the cool weather which has set
^^ in for the last few days - I feel surprised that you
have not receved my letters as I have written to you with my usual
regularity as I will continue to do as long as I am spared to live as my
home correspon -dence is the only comfort I have, if you
receive this it may be the last from me. but I have made arrangements. that
you will be duly informed if I be called away
however I will not dwill on that subject any long as I feel low enough in
spirits without prognosticating evil —
you need not mention anything more about a furlough as such a thing is
out of the question here at the present time
Previous to this I wrote you two letters this month on 2nd and 9th - since
I commenced writing ^I^ hear the Rebels sent in
a flag of truce with a proposition to send into our lines some southern
Doctors versed in the treatment of the yellow fever which offer was
refused by the Union authorities here how far they are justified in so
doing it is not proper for a private soldier to say but were I at
liberty I could write volumes —
The position of affairs here is such that it is difficult to form any
idea when we will be paid there will be six months pay due at the
close of this month but as soon as it can reach
you after I am the
receipient you shall have it —
my health now is good but I will say no more as such a boon here is
seldom of long duration —
If you knew how downhearted and lonesome I feel when such long enter- -vails occur between your letters I think you would use a
little more energy and let me hear from you oftener as any one of my
children or my relations would be a fit subject for a letter to me.
before closing excuse my disconnected letter my mind is so disturbed
it is impossible for me to compose anything dicent Give my love to my
old father and all the rest of the family and also to your relations.
Remember me to my relations at the [illegible][guess (SYA): corners] to [illegible][guess (MKR): Serah]also you forgot to mention lately
my friend [illegible][guess (MKR): old]
tam let me hear from him - you and the children
accept the love of one who thinks of you and may God protect and watch over
you is
the wishes of your affectionate husband & father
John MCoy
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