Frank Murray’s letter of 1861, transcribed by Stevie Dillon Weimer with assistance from Laura Dillon Lawson…
Old Pint (point) Comfor (Comfort)
Saterday June the 15 1861
My Dear
Brother (brother-in-law) tim
as I promist you that wan (want) to write to you I now take my pen to do So// hoping fine (find) you and Marrah (Maria Murray, his sister) and the children are good heth (health) as this leves (leaves) me at this time// I would rite (write) to you Sooner only I could not get paper to do So//But now I have these as there was a Bar of tabacco and paper sent to us and I got more sent to me By Sister Sarahs man// tim (I) will tell you a littel about Soldiers life as I have not merited to Send you only old news about the fite (fight)// Well we are in compt (encamped) on old Pint Comfort within one mile of fortress monrun (Ft. Monroe)// there is abought (about) 13 thousand troops men here now// about seven thousand of them is in camps and the others is in the fortress// we are in campt in a field of oats// I never had one whtch (which, meaning one day that...) of my cloak off at nite// our grub is ruff but a nought (enough) of it to satisfy me// we had a brush with the enemy only last monday whtch I suppose you herd (heard) of it long ago// it lasted 3 oures (hours) and was anugley (an ugly) one// we had to march 40 miles on that day// we felt it as the Sun was verrey warm and had no water fit to drink and nothing but crackers// and Same (some) not that// I faired purtey (pretty) well as I was furst out to set fire to a rebel house that fire (fired, shot) at us on our journey// I gots one shot at him and then enterd his house// and I tell you tim I plade (played) thornton on his piano (must be some expression for wreaking havoc) with the but of my musket// and then tuck (took) one ham and a jare of quince preserves// then starting my fire and left// and now Brother Tim the drum is beating for drill// So I will be a good Boy for this time// will right (write) Soone and I will close (enclose) you more news in my next letter// give my respects to Marrah and family// to Celley and family// to James drought and family// Michael Murphey and family and to all you think fit// tim I want you to give my love to John dillon and family in purtickler (particular) and to go to see my mother when you can// this is all at this time from you loving Brother Frank Murry// direct old point Comfort virginia 5 regiment advance geurds Co. G
Saterday June the 15 1861
My Dear
Brother (brother-in-law) tim
as I promist you that wan (want) to write to you I now take my pen to do So// hoping fine (find) you and Marrah (Maria Murray, his sister) and the children are good heth (health) as this leves (leaves) me at this time// I would rite (write) to you Sooner only I could not get paper to do So//But now I have these as there was a Bar of tabacco and paper sent to us and I got more sent to me By Sister Sarahs man// tim (I) will tell you a littel about Soldiers life as I have not merited to Send you only old news about the fite (fight)// Well we are in compt (encamped) on old Pint Comfort within one mile of fortress monrun (Ft. Monroe)// there is abought (about) 13 thousand troops men here now// about seven thousand of them is in camps and the others is in the fortress// we are in campt in a field of oats// I never had one whtch (which, meaning one day that...) of my cloak off at nite// our grub is ruff but a nought (enough) of it to satisfy me// we had a brush with the enemy only last monday whtch I suppose you herd (heard) of it long ago// it lasted 3 oures (hours) and was anugley (an ugly) one// we had to march 40 miles on that day// we felt it as the Sun was verrey warm and had no water fit to drink and nothing but crackers// and Same (some) not that// I faired purtey (pretty) well as I was furst out to set fire to a rebel house that fire (fired, shot) at us on our journey// I gots one shot at him and then enterd his house// and I tell you tim I plade (played) thornton on his piano (must be some expression for wreaking havoc) with the but of my musket// and then tuck (took) one ham and a jare of quince preserves// then starting my fire and left// and now Brother Tim the drum is beating for drill// So I will be a good Boy for this time// will right (write) Soone and I will close (enclose) you more news in my next letter// give my respects to Marrah and family// to Celley and family// to James drought and family// Michael Murphey and family and to all you think fit// tim I want you to give my love to John dillon and family in purtickler (particular) and to go to see my mother when you can// this is all at this time from you loving Brother Frank Murry// direct old point Comfort virginia 5 regiment advance geurds Co. G
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