This partial letter (and unsigned) letter seems to have been written by a member of the 9th New York State Militia which became the 83rd New York Volunteers. This regiment spent much of the summer following the Battle of Bull Run at Camp Stone near Darnestown, Maryland, where Union General Nathaniel Banks kept “a firm and certain hand” on the citizenry of Marylanders with a large military presence.

The letter was addressed to Eliza Ann Harbutt (b. 1843), the daughter of John Harbutt (b. 1822)—a clothier in New York City, and his wife Sarah Niffen (b. 1822). Both of her parents were English emigrants as was her grandfather, Francis Niffin—a taylor, who resided with the Harbutt’s in the same household in New York’s 14th Ward in 1860. Nothing further could be found on Eliza.

Transcription

Camp Smith
Darnestown, Maryland
Tuesday, September 17, 1861

Dear Eliza,

I have now on hand three letters that I have received from you that I have not answered. One is dated 7th inst. and the other 14th inst.; the two last I received today along with one from Larry and one from home.

Larry wants to come out here; he wanted to know if there was any chance for him to join my company. I have just mailed an answer to him telling that he can join whenever he likes. I hope he will make up him mind to come. I would like to see him very much.

In your favor of the 9th, you say you have a beautiful duet which you and Mrs. Colston are to sing. I would like to hear it very much. I don’t know what a piano is now. I don’t think I have heard one since I left New York. When I come home, I will hammer your piano to pieces.

I would like to hear of a marriage between Mr. Higgins and a certain lady friend of yours. It would greatly relieve the monotony of his life.

You seem to think it ridiculous for me to think of coming home before next April; the fact is it is useless for anyone to make up their mind to see the close of his war within any definite period. It is all in the hands of the Almighty. We may see the close of it before New Years; then again we might not see the close of it for years. I have great hopes in the next battle. If we should prove to be the victorious party and the rebel army should be broken up, there is little doubt but the worst of the struggle will then be over. I hope so anyway.

Sunday, Hiram and myself had quite a picnic. We got a bottle of claret wine, two very nice pound cakes that we bought from a countryman that sells bread, biscuit, cakes, and pies, and such things around the camp. We also had some biscuit and a half pound of butter. We started about 10 o’clock in the morning. It was a beautiful day—cool and clear—and went a short distance from camp to a beautiful grove. We took our blankets along. There is a beautiful spring close by. We spread our blankets and spent the day there (Sundays we don’t have any drills) smoking, reading, writing, and eating and drinking all day. I tell you, we had a gay time. I am sure you would have enjoyed yourself had you been along, dear, for the surrounding scenery was most magnificent. Everything, in fact, was sublime.

We started for camp about five o’clock, arriving just in time for evening dress parade. We had supper. After supper there was ten men detailed for picket duty so Hiram and myself were among the number. We slung our blankets and reported to the guard house ready for duty. It was a splendid night. We expected some work that night. We were told to load carefully and be very diligent on our watches. Gen. Banks won’t let any of our officers go home on “furlough.” In fact, he won’t let them leave camp for scarcely two or three hours at a time. He seems to expect an attack every day. His headquarters are in the next field from us and he is always on the watch to see that everything goes on smoothly. He reviews all the troops around here most every day. It is hard telling how many troops there are here but I can see over twenty thousand from a hill near here. I suppose there must be a great many more than that though.

Let the rebel rascals undertake to cross anywhere near here and they will get the greatest warming they ever had. Larry ought to be out here now so as to take a hand in this grand affair that is expected to come off.

Larry promises to send me a sketch of my home…[remainder of letter missing]

Return address on envelope reads: Headquarters 9th Regt. N. Y. S. M, Darnestown, Md.