The following letter was written by Amos Avery (1834-1903) of Groton, New York, who enlisted 13 August 1862 as a corporal in Co. F, 109th New York Infantry. He was later promoted to sergeant and was wounded on 17 June 1864 before Petersburg, Virginia. He was discharged for wounds on 18 May 1865.
Avery’s parents were Oliver Avery (1797-1877) and Hannah Webb (1806-1883) of Groton, Tompkins county, New York.
Transcription
Annapolis Junction
Tuesday, September 30, 1862
Dear Friend Mark,
I received yours tonight and will answer the same without delay. I was glad indeed to hear from you and to hear that you still remember me. I was glad of your advice. You speak that some are not willing to receive it. What time I was with you, you can judge in what way I received it. I have had one chance to drink but I knew if I did not break over the first time, I certainly should not the second! I am glad that you are getting along well with the stores and also with the other jobs. I would like to be to work with you for a spell. Then I should want to be back here again.
I am well. I never was more healthy and pretty well contented though I would like to go farther south. The 137th [New York Regiment] passed by here night before last on their way to Washington and back again. Last night they stopped in front of our camp. We were all awake in a short time and down to the guard. Some of the officers passed our their men. Our Captain did not do so, however. The Major came down. I asked him to pass men by the guard and he did so. A good many run the guard. This I would not do. I did not see Crib, however, as he had been left at Washington for guard. I saw Tom Breeze, 1 Old Pap Scofield, 2 and some others. They most all felt well. Jim Eldridge 3 felt sick of it [soldiering].
The boys are all feeling well here but Orson Brokaw. 3 He is quite sick. There are a few that are complaining some. George Lanterman 4 is very sick and has been sent to Baltimore. Hoping to hear from you soon, I remain your friend, — Delos
P. S. I am not married nor have I had any thoughts of being is all a cussed lie. — M. H. Avery
1 BREESE, THOMAS E.~Age, 29 years. Enlisted, August 14, 1862, at Groton, to serve three years; mustered in as private, Co. K, 137th New York Infantry, September 2, 1862; deserted, January 14, 1863, at Fairfax Station, Va.
2 Not sure who “Old Pap Scofield” was unless he was the father of Isaac and Annias Scofield, both young men from Groton who served in Co. K, 137th New York Infantry.
3 ELDRIDGE, JAMES.—Age, 33 years. Enlisted, August 15,1862, at Groton, to serve three years; mustered in,as private, Co. K , 137th New York Infantry, September 20, 1862; discharged for disability, January 2,1863, at Baltimore, Md.
4 BROKAN, ORSON—Age, 22 years. Enlisted, August 8, 1862, at Groton, to serve three years; mustered in as corporal, Co. F, 109th New York Infantry, August 14, 1862; returned to ranks, no date; mustered out with company, June 4, 1865, at Delaney House, D . O; also borne as Brokaw.
5 LANTERMAN, GEOBGE S.—Age, 18 years. Enlisted August 12, 1862, at Groton, to serve three years; mustered in as private, Co. F, 109th New York Infantry, August 14, 1862; discharged for disability, December 4, 1862.
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