Homer Curtiss, 2nd C.H.A., June 10, 1864

Homer Curtiss, 2nd C.H.A., June 10, 1864

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

United States. Army. Connecticut Artillery Regiment, 2nd (1863-1865)

Cold Harbor, Battle of (Virginia : 1864)

Homer writes to his mother and his sister Lucy about rejoining his regiment and their performance in the Battle of Cold Harbor.

1864-06-10

6-97

Ashby Lodge Fort Ellsworth Va
Friday Eve June 10th 1864

Dear Ma + Lucy
Though I wrote a letter home this
evening I feel called upon to write again as I have since I've 
received 3 letters from the home firm - 2 from Warren, 1 from N. Cast.
bearing various dates from May 16th to May 29th. They had all followed
the Regt. down the river to White House and returned to Wn before they
came to No 229. Some friend, as is a friend sent them back to me and
has my best wishes therefor Carrington got orders for us to join the Regt.
too this p.m. so now away we go P.p. I hope to write next from
White House at the Field. Communication is now open with the army 
and I suppose letters will get through both ways in time.
As I wrote my farewell a week since and sent up to you and have
since written the history of the Regt since it left here, I will in this 
confine myself to the answering of your letters which did me more good 
than you could think. it had been so long since I had heard from
you. You asked if our boys liked to blow go and then go on blowing 
about the great prowess of the 2nd. The boys as a whole were glad to go
though of course there were pusillanimous exceptions that I must name

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They told me that they chafed a good deal when they were marching along
with the old 2 years men to hear them say "There go the 'heavys' in 
white gloves from Wn, they can put on style but can't march or fight."
But the 2nd made itself famous in one day, it kept up in the Flying
Division marching and showed itself worthy of belonging to the "Fighting
6th" in the battle of Coal Harbor. Said one of the 2nd Corps boys to me
in answer to a query if the Art. could fight "Yes they fight well, but
not so well as they might they have not yet learned to be afraid of
balls." If you think I am prejudiced in favor of the 2nd Art. look in
the N.Y. Times for slain 6th and see the description of their charge and
in the Phil. Inq. of a day or two later where it tells of the 2nd stealing
a flag off the parapet in the Reb works. Oh I guess the 2nd will do
as well in the field as it has done in the bandbox way.
You never saw boys in better spirits than they when they left and
when they came back wounded. I hope you will see Corp. Burton, when
he gets up home. For it would do you good to see how cheerful he is.
Queer coincidence is it now that I get as much per diem as you do
per week and you can save as much per diem as I do per week. 
Glad you got the album and the memorials hope you will get the box.
Oh yes I see Russell daily almost. He was left behind you know not
reaching the city until the Regt had gone and is now one of the nurses in
the Same Hosp. Sergt. Noble is there too. Why are you so anxious to hear the boys
opinion of Mary? I don't know as they had any such thought she wished to see me. Conceit.

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I should suppose Austin, Homer + Miner had overtaken Grant if exciting news
would not be had otherwise. For the Coal Harbor news is quite exciting
here. So Fannie has gone out into the world. Poor dear girl she must
be lonesome over among the shepherds of N.C. I will write to her direct.
You indirectly give my bundles of old letters a heavy punch, but it
will make no difference For I wish to keep them and don't wish them
left here either. Oh now, you go away. I did not take credit
upon myself purposely in the album affair - it was all Austin
even tho modesty. Strange we should have thought of the same
words. I told him he ought to have a conservator over him, but
what he gives Fannie I suppose is like putting from one pocket
into the other, it will be as much his as ever. I hardly looked for
him to move to Aunt Sarah's so soon though. Queer world aint it.
You and I will be bachelors together, and go over to Austin's for a nice dish of strawberries occasionally. Do you write to Austin
for the poor boy did seem lonely enough when I went up to "D."
Tell Cousin Miranda I will take one shirt and one cake of sugar
to Miner. I and my friends have survived eating the other cake, and
the other shirt is in my box. You will see by my ambrotypes
how the young man looks in his fixies. Yes, I'll come into
the kitchen some morning, and startle you washing up the dishes.
Poor Cap. Wodhams will not need his sword again. Good day. Tub.

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This is very military style
would be perfect if tied with
red tape and ruled with red ink

ALS