Part 2 of 25 in Civil War Letters of Algernon H. Scribner. The date below is the letter’s historical date; the article retains the collection’s publication date.
Letter transcription
[Stationary letter is written on has picture of U.S. Capitol building at top, under which is printed "25th Regiment Maine Volunteers...Col. Fessenden. Company-__. Algernon inserted "C" after "Company"]
Arlington Hights Nov. 2nd 1862 [date incorrect?] Father your letter of the 28th received last night and was glad to hear that you was better of your cough and hope you will soon mend. Have had a cough for about a week nothing to speak of a week ago to day we started from Washington in a mighty rain storm and a wind which I never before see with my knapsack on my back and after a march of 4 hours brought us to a place called Arlington Hights and glad enough to see it for we was entirely wet through. Pitched our tents it raining like the Devil and layed down in the mud and water the water running through quite a brook and if any boddy can stand that they are tough enough for us soldiers we expect to march soon we shall either come back to Me or go to Harpers Ferry. FCJ Smith has ordered that he would pay our fare to Portland[.] I have just come in from Guard Mountain I have not got Fife Majors Birth yet but expect it every day as soon as Tom Long gets Drum Majors birth I shall have it[.] Sam Dean is a Brigadeer Drum[.] you got rid of your Mule pretty good tell mother that I shant use much of anything stronger than tobcao Rum is only 3.00 and Whiskey is but 12.00 per Gallon only 1.50 per pint[.] I wrote to grandfather last week but forgot to put on East Otisfield so it would go to Stockmans probably. it is mighty hard for me to write so you must put up with as little as you can[.] we are going to have an inspection now and I must close.
Your son Algernon H. Scribner Pls direct to A.H. Scribner, Washington DC, Co. C, 25th Me Reg. [Postscript] send me 3 or 4 Postage stamps as they are a hard thing to get. Write soon. Send me 3 or 4 Postage stamps they are a hard thing to get.
Source
Transcribed by Jean F. Hankins in 2011 for the Otisfield Historical Society, with permission of owner Hal Ferguson of Otisfield. Original spelling, uncertain readings, and editorial notes are retained.
Read the original transcription (PDF, starting on page 2).