The following letter was written by Harrison Snow (1840-1898) who joined his older brother Alfred Henry Snow (1838-1915) in enlisted in Co. G, 50th Regiment, New York Engineers. Harrison began his service as a private but was later made an artificer. The 50th New York Engineers became famous for their ability to quickly build pontoon bridges, construct field fortifications, and to conduct sapper and mining operations, sometimes under enemy fire.

Harrison and Alfred were the sons of Asa Stearns Snow (1805-1882) and Mary C. Eighmey (1803-1900) of Caroline, Tompkins county, New York. He wrote the letter to his younger sister, Elsie Ann Snow (1844-1939).

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Washington D. C.
March 8th 1862

Dear Sister,

I embrace the present as a favorable opportunity of answering your much welcome letter which came duly to hand the 7th and was very much pleased to hear from you. I am well at present and hope that these few lines will find you enjoying the same blessing. The weather is very nice here at the present time and I hope that the rainy season has passed by.

There is not much news here, only that there was about three inches of snow fell here on last Monday. The whole regiment turned out to have a snow ball [fight]. It lasted about three hours when the right wing gave up whipped. It was fun to see so many men having a battle with snow. We have very good times here at present but I think it will not last long. The time is near at hand when this great army will be moving on to the battlefield to fight for that which is as dear as life. May the time soon come when this rebellion will be driven from our land. There there will be rejoicing throughout our land when that old noble flag shall again float over each and every state in the Union as it did before the traitors trampled our Stars & Stripes and liberty under. I think that they know that their time is short. Our army south of us has caused them to tremble for the past two months and I hope that they may continue to do the same. It is almost time to have the earth decked with its beauty again and may it be that time that peace shall surround us again.

I was very sorry to hear that you was sick and hope by the time this reaches you that you will be well again. I do not doubt but what you would like to see us but my dear sister, that cannot be at present, I am just as anxious to see those that I have left behind but I cannot stay with you always. The best. of friends must part. There is many that parted in this war and many more will go to their long home. It may be my lot. If so, I hope that we shall meet in that land where there is no war. I hope that I may see all of my folks before long but cannot tell for war is an uncertain thing.

I think those valentines was very nice. I must close for it is most dinner time and I must write to my cousin. I send my love to you and all of the rest, so goodbye. This is from your brother, — Harrison Snow

Remember those that is in this land of war.