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Camp of the 11th NY
Battery.
Feby 9th 1864
Dear Hattie
Pardon the affectionate familiarity but you know its all
in fun. Your charming little epistle has just reached
me, and I do myself the honor to answer it immediately,
thus complying with your request to write soon.
Before proceeding farther
truth and candor compel me to acknowledge that a little
desception was used in the advertisement in the
"Waverly." In other words my true description differs
materially from the one therein set forth, and may not
please you as well as the one "fancy painted," but I
thought it was all for fun, therefore funningly gave a
fictitious description as well as cognomen. Be it known
unto you then, this individual is twenty-nine years of
age, five feet and eleven inches high, dark blue eyes,
brown hair, and light (ruddy) complexion. There you have
it. How do you like the descripion? Me thinks I hear you
answer. I dont like it so well as the advertised
description. Well! I'll admit it is not quite so
fascinating to a young lady as the fictitious one, but
it is a fixed fact, "like the laws of the Medes and
Persians," which altereth not. But enough of that topic
for the present! The next thing, will undoubtedly be
something else.
It is said, that a
person's writing is indication of their character, if
so, judging from your letter, I take you to be of one
that class know as "romps" - a class by the way, which I
rather admire. Commend me to a girl who has life and
animation enough to enjoy the harmless pleasures of this
beautiful world, in preference to your "Miss Prim," who
would not dare to laugh in louder tones than a
whimpering sentimental snicker, for fear of overstepping
the bounds of etiquette.
No indeed! None of your
"Miss Prims" for me. I love the gaily ringing laugh of
true and gladsome hearts. Of course I would not have a
young lady act in an imbecoming or unladylike manner,
but I believe in giving free scope to thou joyous
feelings, implanted in the soul by a wise and kind
"creator" to cheer us through life's checkered pathway
looking over the -----. Could you have been within
hearing distance when I read you letter, you would have
heard a laugh that made this old tent ring, especially
when I came to the sentence, "Sing Heigh Ho for a
husband" - I just laid back in my chair + roared - thats
decidedly rich! I don't suppose that you entertain
thoughts of Matrimony. Who ever knows a young lady that
did? but if so you have my best wishes that your song
may be speedily answered, on condition, that I have an
invitation to the wedding.
You say you have returned
from boarding school for a few months on account of
delicate health. No doubt it is great treat for you, to
again be, with the loved ones at home. I do not wonder
at your hating boarding school, for as generally
conducted they are about as injurious to girls health,
as beneficial to her education. I firmly believe that
hundreds of girls die annually from the pernicious
effects of boarding school training. I presume the
description given of yourself is partly fictitious. I
aught not to doubt a lady word, but am aware that in
correspondence of this character a great deal of
description is generally used.
I promised on the honor of
a gentleman and soldier that I have thus far given a
true description of myself, it remains for me to add
that I was formerly a private, but am now a Lieut in
Uncle Samuel's service and that my true name is signed
to this letter. Enclosed please find carte-de-visites of
your incognito, when you answer this which I hope you
will do without fail - be kind enough to give a correct
description and enclose a carte-de-visite, or
Photograph, of your own sweet self.
The enclosed picture is
not as good as it might be - they eyes are too light,
the features however and general expression of the
countenance are natural.
You ask for a description
of "camp life," but I have written so much other stuff I
will defer that until another time...
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