Cornelius Gold, 6th C.V.I, August 1863

Cornelius Gold, 6th C.V.I, August 1863

United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Sources

United States. Army. Connecticut Infantry Regiment, 6th (1861-1865)

Soldiers--Conduct of life

Cornelius Gold writes to his mother about camp life in New Haven and being able to get leave to visit family in the area.

1863-08

New Haven Hotel Tuesday Morn
My dear Mother
Was ever such a lucky fellar
as I! Out again with a “General Pass”
which means-liberty to come + go when
I choose, reporting at camp once each
day “til further orders”- This favor
was granted yesterday at request of
Uncle Winthrop who asked the
General for it after breakfast -
Gen’l Hunt’s answer was “yes of course
you shall see him before dinner” -
He himself wrote + left the pass
in the Colonel’s office where I was
called + rec’d it - You may be sure I
was not slow in making ready to go -
Uncle Winthrop + Aunt May arrived
in a carriage the same instant + were
ready for me at the camp entrance -
We drove directly to West Haven
reaching there at ½ past 4 PM - drank tea
with Aunt E + the children staying there
till 8 o’clock - I helped Uncle W. upstairs
to his room in the hotel, heard two interesting

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letters from the little boys in Washington,
then enjoyed a fine moonlight walk back
to camp. I shall go to Bridgeport today
to meet Lillie + should she not come,
try again tomorrow. I feel right well
all the time, and though my present
circumstances are far from unpleasant,
am quite ready to be off. “the sooner
the quicker” This is an excellent
season to visit Carolina. Romy is there.
Though I would not have him reduced
to the ranks for my sake, I confess I wish
he were not so high above me just now.
I suppose I must “line my straps” before
renewing his acquaintance. It may be
easier to wait for peace than do that.
I can wait most cheerfully. The sight
of commissioned shoulders does not make
me hungry for like honor, since I see
the class of men who bear them - good,
bad + indifferent like us privates.
Two or three captains in our camp are now
under arrest for something or another.
One large man about 50 years old was
perched on a barrel head all yesterday, with

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a large placard on his back, “I went
to church + got Drunk.” Only a few
days since the same fellar had his
sergeant stripes pulled off him, for a
like offence. All this interests you
amazingly no doubt., but recollect its
all I have to talk about. You must
expect camp scandal + little else, since
your boy’s life is to be there. While in
it, I pass most of the time lounging,
but as much as possible with my limited
bodily exercise in reading, or writing notes
to my friends, not many of these last
however. Walking up and down
the ground is rather stupid business.
thank fortune, over now since I have
larger liberty. Morris Island drilling
will exercise me plentifull, enough
I’m thinking. This weather is delightful.
Uncle + Aunt are through breakfast
+ about to take a ride in the morning air.
Cornelius starts for Bridgeport presently.
shall 4 hours of waiting there + shall
take the life of Victor Hugo for company.
Good morning - Your aff.
Cornelius

ALS