The following letter was written by Elijah Nye Harvey (1842-1903), the son of Enoch Dole Harvey (1811-1888) and Mary Hubbard Nye (1812-1859) of Lake Mills, Jefferson county, Wisconsin.

Elijah was a blacksmith by trade when he enlisted as a private in the 3rd Independent Battery, Wisconsin Volunteer Light Artillery on 22 August 1862 for three years service. At the time that Elijah wrote this letter in late March 1864, the battery was on garrison duty in the defenses of Chattanooga. They later moved to Murfreesboro and had garrison duty there until mustering out in July 1865.

Elijah wrote the letter to his younger brother, William Riley Harvey (1845-1917).

[Note: This letter is from the private collection of Greg Herr and was transcribed and published on Spared & Shared by express consent.]

Transcription

Chattanooga, Tennessee
March 25, 1864

Dear Brother,

I have been looking for a letter for a long time but it does not make its appearance as yet. Your 4 papers reached their destination on the 20th so I made up my mind that you were still on earth. I was very glad you sent them and like the paper very much.

We have been having a hard snowstorm. On the night of the 22nd, the snow fell so fast that on the 23rd, it measured 10 inches on the level. It also snowed last night but today, it has melted, and rains occasionally. I am in my tent today and have the blues in the highest degree. I have got tired of living, such a life. and being a slave for shoulder straps.

While I work hard all day at thirteen dollars a month, citizens are hired to do the same labor and receive $60 a month and don’t work any harder than I do and are no better workmen. Sometimes I think I will never raise a hammer again while I am in the army, but on the other hand, if I intend to work at my trade after this (which I do), it will be better for me to keep in practice. I get along with my work first rate but have lots of it to do. I don’t have time to much extra work at present but have 2 or 3 old colored friend that I always take time to work for and they always pay. Nothing pleases a Nigger more than to have a white man to trade with, and I have come to the conclusion that they are good customers.

Old Cap leaves the Battery in a few days, if reports are true, for Gen. Johnson’s staff. Livingston has resigned and we have the prettiest set of officers (over the left) you ever saw. Lieut. Colburn is a fine officer but he has charge of this train and nothing to do with the Battery.

I hope you will write often as you can and remember I am always anxious to hear from you. With love to all, I remain as ever yours truly, — Elijah