The following letter was written by David Spalding (1843-1924), the son of Calvin Spaulding (1820-1897) and Malissa Hatt (1820-1904) of Deerfield, Livingston county, Michigan. David enlisted on 15 August 1862 as a private in Co. E, 26th Michigan infantry. He was wounded on 12 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, and discharged on 4 Jun 1865.
When David wrote this letter in mid-February 1863, the 26th Michigan was assigned Provost duty at Alexandria.
To read letters by other members of the 26th Michigan Infantry that I have transcribed and published on Spared & Shared, see: George Nelson Chalker, Co. B, 26th Michigan (1 Letter); and Nelson W. Shephard, Co. C, 26th Michigan (13 Letters).
Members of Co. B, 26th Michigan Infantry, posed for this portrait about September-October 1862—soon after their enlistment. They are, from left: Corp. Henry Arnold (1838-1885), who received a disability discharge in October 1863; Drummer Alva O. Brooks (1851-1917), who departed the regiment in October 1862 with a discharge by order of Gov. Blair; and Sgt. Henry Chapin Smith (1837-1864), who died of wounds received during the Battle of Spotsylvania and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Courtesy Archives of Michigan, 347NMC, Civil War Photographs, File 137.
Transcription
Camp near Alexandria, Virginia February 13, 1863
Dear Cousin.
I received your letter. I was glad to hear from you. I am well only I have a bad cold so that I can’t sleep nights. It is a very fine day. I t is like May but you said that you supposed that we did not have no snow. It has snowed here some days as bas as it ever did in Michigan. The weather is very changeable here.
You said that you wanted me to send my likeness to you but I cannot send it today for we have not had a cent of pay in 5 months. I would like to send it to you in this letter. I have not heard from home in a month. I have written two letters & [ ] four & we have not had an answer yet. I look every day foor a letter but when the mail comes, there is nothing for me. A letter is the only thing that contents my mind. If I don’t have a letter from home before long, I shall think that they have forgot how to write.
I suppose that you would like to know the prices here. I will give the price of a few things. Butter 40 cents per pound, cheese 25, eggs 40 cents per dozen, apples two for 5 cents, and onions the same. I had rather be where I could eat a apple when I wanted but I hope that I will have the good luck to see Michigan again. I would like it well enough if I was well & could keep in good health.
Julia, you said that if I wanted things, to write. As for socks & mittens, I can get along well enough for a while. When I want some socks, I will write. I will try to get my likeness taken so that I can send it in the next letter to you. I don’t know as I [have] anything more to write this time. I thought some of having you send me a box of dried fruit but I do not know how much it would cost to send them or how much they would cost there a bushel. I wish you would write & tell me how much it would cost for the fruit if I could get a small box so that they would come cheaper than I can get it here. I don’t know but what I will have you send a box but you can write & tell me about it. I can send you the money for it out here for I guess that we will have some money before a great while. No more at present. Goodbye. — David Spalding
Direct your letter to Washington D. C., 26th Regiment Michigan Infantry, Co. E
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