Homer Curtiss, 2nd C.H.A., January 3, 1864
Title
Homer Curtiss, 2nd C.H.A., January 3, 1864
Subject
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
United States. Army. Connecticut Artillery Regiment, 2nd (1863-1865)
Military camps--Virginia
Soldiers--Books and reading
Description
Homer Curtiss writes to his family about his reading habits and those of the other soldiers, officers, new recruits, encouraging others home in Warren, Conn. to enlist, and the young drummer boys in camp.
Date
1864-01-03
Text
[page 1]
Thus I understand that we agree on the matter
of the "Atlantic." Agreeable to that understanding I sent
you the Jan. No. this morning (Sunday Jan 3d 1864)
I wish you to tell me if it arrives safely and most
particularly if there was postage currency enough affixed
I read the new postage law and it seemed explicit
enough - 2ยข for ever 4 oz of transient matter, but it may
not be understood that way by all P.M.s. You may
laugh at the wrapper on that magazine if you wish
in explanation I would say, I did it up in the dusk
of early morning and mistook the wrapper amazingly.
Red "My Book" and the Crowfield paper, as they
are really [unclear]. Which is Gail's last piece?
I like the Atlantic as well as ever, but it is not very
popular in camp. Lts Sangfor + Rice read all my
books and I theirs, and on many points we agree
but not on the Atlantic. Lt. Berry is no great reader.
He only reads his Bible, Tactics, Bayonet exercise and
Miss Alice's letters. Perhaps that is enough though.
[page 2]
Glad you've seen Gad, and I know you liked him
by the way you spoke of him. You can imagine how
Im dressed now, at least if not just how I look.
I'm not much acquainted with Gad, but what I know
of him is pleasant. He always seemed to be a fine
fellow and deserves what he will readily get when he
returns, a commission. How came you to think of
him as an elderly man, pray? Of course he's beardless,
but none the less mature on that account, for he is
what you might call a trifle fast. You will not
see Dan perhaps, as he is in the office in N. Haven
but if by chance you should see him I am sure
you would not be so egregiously mistaken in his
appearance as you was in Sergt. Smith's.
And you've got an Artillery Capt. in your midst too
that is well. A greater display of straps and stripes
might perhaps dazzle some of the unthinking Warreners
to enlist, but Wilkin Smith and all the rest will avail
nothing I presume, as the Jrs are bound not to come.
[page 3]
Don't [unclear] bright! those red stripes and chevrons do show
off better, don't they? not that I sneeze at blue but I
admire the scarlet. Commend Arthur to me always.
Ha ha ha that finishing sentence was a stinger.
I don't wonder you was entirely exhausted. Don't do so
often, it might strike in you know.
[unclear] Austin is better as he has been fixing
on hope mof a furlough these two weeks. He will not
get in less than a month yet, but hope is better than
despair. He will get up to leave, sometime before
spring I think but not in time to attend Flora's funeral.
We are having fine times with our new
men. John's cousin Ed is in our Co. along with 12
others, a pretty good lot all around. One of Romey
Loveridge's brothers came down and was sent to Co. I,
but afterward by special importuning he got transferred
to H. I have one special pet in the lot of course.
There are 2 little drummer boys among our 13, only 13
years old, and one of these Clarence Smith is my
boy. He is a neat little fellow, fair and pleasant
and a cousin of Frank Basemen's. Nice little chappy
[page 4]
Our Company is now larger than it ever was before in Va.
as we have 90 enlisted men, a Capt. 1 1st + 2 2nd Lieuts.
Of course all is not pleasant and we are sadly crowded
in our tents now, but we mnust expect some slight inconveniences
in times of war. Even we of the 2nd H.A. must expect that.
Jan. 3rd 1864 - I'm on with Homer Sackett doing
guard duty for Uncle S. here in Fort Ellesworth. Sackett
is not very well for a day or two, looks pale and tired
and is not really fit for duty, but he stands it out like
a man as he is, no shrinking there, no shrinking from duty.
Austin is up with Charlie taking my place in the 1st
sergts, but this eve and night, and the countersign is
"Bangor," which is considerably colder than Warren, I
presume. There is a snow storm brewing to night.
What is going to happen? We have had one of the
loveliest Sundays possible and no inspection, except
of the recruits. they came out in very good style
and had only a short drill of it. But about that no
inspection, is it the world or the war on Col. kellopgg
that is going to come to an abrupt finis? I don't know
I'm sure which, but that no inspection portends a
something. However all will come about in shape
and if it is north [unclear] I'll tell you what is.
There. Yours of the 21st is Handsomely answered.
Gub
Thus I understand that we agree on the matter
of the "Atlantic." Agreeable to that understanding I sent
you the Jan. No. this morning (Sunday Jan 3d 1864)
I wish you to tell me if it arrives safely and most
particularly if there was postage currency enough affixed
I read the new postage law and it seemed explicit
enough - 2ยข for ever 4 oz of transient matter, but it may
not be understood that way by all P.M.s. You may
laugh at the wrapper on that magazine if you wish
in explanation I would say, I did it up in the dusk
of early morning and mistook the wrapper amazingly.
Red "My Book" and the Crowfield paper, as they
are really [unclear]. Which is Gail's last piece?
I like the Atlantic as well as ever, but it is not very
popular in camp. Lts Sangfor + Rice read all my
books and I theirs, and on many points we agree
but not on the Atlantic. Lt. Berry is no great reader.
He only reads his Bible, Tactics, Bayonet exercise and
Miss Alice's letters. Perhaps that is enough though.
[page 2]
Glad you've seen Gad, and I know you liked him
by the way you spoke of him. You can imagine how
Im dressed now, at least if not just how I look.
I'm not much acquainted with Gad, but what I know
of him is pleasant. He always seemed to be a fine
fellow and deserves what he will readily get when he
returns, a commission. How came you to think of
him as an elderly man, pray? Of course he's beardless,
but none the less mature on that account, for he is
what you might call a trifle fast. You will not
see Dan perhaps, as he is in the office in N. Haven
but if by chance you should see him I am sure
you would not be so egregiously mistaken in his
appearance as you was in Sergt. Smith's.
And you've got an Artillery Capt. in your midst too
that is well. A greater display of straps and stripes
might perhaps dazzle some of the unthinking Warreners
to enlist, but Wilkin Smith and all the rest will avail
nothing I presume, as the Jrs are bound not to come.
[page 3]
Don't [unclear] bright! those red stripes and chevrons do show
off better, don't they? not that I sneeze at blue but I
admire the scarlet. Commend Arthur to me always.
Ha ha ha that finishing sentence was a stinger.
I don't wonder you was entirely exhausted. Don't do so
often, it might strike in you know.
[unclear] Austin is better as he has been fixing
on hope mof a furlough these two weeks. He will not
get in less than a month yet, but hope is better than
despair. He will get up to leave, sometime before
spring I think but not in time to attend Flora's funeral.
We are having fine times with our new
men. John's cousin Ed is in our Co. along with 12
others, a pretty good lot all around. One of Romey
Loveridge's brothers came down and was sent to Co. I,
but afterward by special importuning he got transferred
to H. I have one special pet in the lot of course.
There are 2 little drummer boys among our 13, only 13
years old, and one of these Clarence Smith is my
boy. He is a neat little fellow, fair and pleasant
and a cousin of Frank Basemen's. Nice little chappy
[page 4]
Our Company is now larger than it ever was before in Va.
as we have 90 enlisted men, a Capt. 1 1st + 2 2nd Lieuts.
Of course all is not pleasant and we are sadly crowded
in our tents now, but we mnust expect some slight inconveniences
in times of war. Even we of the 2nd H.A. must expect that.
Jan. 3rd 1864 - I'm on with Homer Sackett doing
guard duty for Uncle S. here in Fort Ellesworth. Sackett
is not very well for a day or two, looks pale and tired
and is not really fit for duty, but he stands it out like
a man as he is, no shrinking there, no shrinking from duty.
Austin is up with Charlie taking my place in the 1st
sergts, but this eve and night, and the countersign is
"Bangor," which is considerably colder than Warren, I
presume. There is a snow storm brewing to night.
What is going to happen? We have had one of the
loveliest Sundays possible and no inspection, except
of the recruits. they came out in very good style
and had only a short drill of it. But about that no
inspection, is it the world or the war on Col. kellopgg
that is going to come to an abrupt finis? I don't know
I'm sure which, but that no inspection portends a
something. However all will come about in shape
and if it is north [unclear] I'll tell you what is.
There. Yours of the 21st is Handsomely answered.
Gub
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Citation
“Homer Curtiss, 2nd C.H.A., January 3, 1864,” Linda Lear Center Digital Collections and Exhibitions, accessed May 18, 2024, https://lc-digital.conncoll.edu/items/show/1803.