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American Civil War ➔ Civil War letter from Chauncey E. Metcalf 136th New York Infantry to Allen H. Church 105th New York Infantry
Identifier:
135952.2Description:
Letter from Chauncey Metcalf to his friend and neighbor Allen H. Church talking about his army experience. This is perhaps the last page to 135952.1;I was glad to hear from you Allen, and learn that by the mercy of God you had thus far escaped death & sickness although the brigade had suffered so much. I hope in the movements of the Regt we will be brought near together. I have understood that our Col. is trying to have us quartered or stationed at Fortress Monroe. I hope he will succeed for I have a notion that that is a good comfortable place, and moreover I want to see considerable of this land of ---. I would prefer above all however, to be sent to New Orleans. I rejoice greatly that ---ed is safe at last. We heard the day of our leaving Portage that he had been exchanged and had been left at the Fortress, and that his father had gone down there after him. I would dearly like to see both of you once more.I suppose you are curious to know how I like soldiering. In all truth I must say that I don't like it- not exceedingly in fact. I didn't anticipate being delighted with it when I entered the business. I knew beforehand that there was some fun to be had, it was overbalanced by the privations one must submit to. Moreover, I can get along totally well if I only have enough to eat. The (Line obscured by letter fold) to either because he is lazy or tricky, or because as he says it is impossible to get the things. Well, maybe I will get used to it by and by. I have tried the wisdom of what you told me "to get ot of the ranks, be at least a corporal", and I have tried to get something better, but thus far have not succeeded. It is all right , I can submit to adversity as well as the next man. But I reckon we will (Line obscured by letter fold) back to our peaceful home. We, that is the Geneseo boys are pretty well, being troubled only with a little colic & the diarrhoea (sic), or "Virginia trot" as we term it, that is almost universally prevalent with this Regt- we attribute it to the change of water more than anything else. Write and tell me where you are and what you are doing, and the state of your good health. Truly yours, Chan
