Part 4 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
Washington (December?) 14th 1862 Dear Father,
Yours of the 9th recieved last night and was glad to hear from you and that you was so as to be about i am well and enjoying myself tip top is warm out here no snow to ammount to annething once in awhile there is a little spot in the Shade but it is mighty muddy, so that i have to keep in doors except in the Morning there is no particula news[.] heavy Fireing was herd in diction of Fairfax and Maskitry which continued for a number of hours[.] they keep the news from us except what comes from them. I want you to lend me $1.00 if you have it to spare i should not send for anny if i could get along without i went over to Washington Wednesday and stove my Boots all to the Devil they riped out in the shank so that i cannot wear them till they are mended we have not been Paid off yet and may not for 9 Mts but expect it every day our men as well as common i can see them carry the boys that 3 months ago were at home and lay them in the Ground where they will rest a spell one from our Camp you may know him his name was Alonzo Smith of Windham Nat. Warren and Curtis Chute are here to night and they tell tough stories i cannot think of annything to write and it is getting late so i must close so good by for this time.
Ps When we are paid of i shall send my money home. A. Scribner Arlington Heights
Co. C., 25th Me Regt. Washington, DC
Write soon
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 4).