The following letter was written by Francis M. Pressley who mustered into Co. E, 10th New York Heavy Artillery in early August 1862 at Henderson, New York. Soon after he was transferred into Co. A.

His muster records inform us that he was born at Sandy Creek, New York, and that he was an 18 year-old laborer when he enlisted. He was described then as standing 5′ 7″ tall, with blue eyes and light hair. He mustered out of the regiment at Petersburg on 23 June 1865.

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

Fort Richmond [Staten Island, New York]
March 6, 1863

Dear Friend,

It is a willing hand that sits down to answer your ever welcome letter that I received the 24th of last month. I was glad to hear from you. Your ever welcome letter came to hand in due time.

I think you must have enjoyed yourself very well the day that you and Francis went a visiting. I should like to have been there to went with you. I think that I could enjoyed myself well, don’t you? But I han’t been very lonesome yet for I think that if noise will prevent it, that we shan’t.

L. C. [Lieut. Col.] Joseph Spratt is our Colonel now. He is just the man for this place. He is very strict and he don’t favor anyone more than he does another. He has shut down the officers pretty snug. He won’t give them but one pass in a day out of each company a day. He says that we are the best drilled of any company that he had seen for as short a time that we have drilled.

L. C. [John Bradbury] Frothingham and our Colonel inspected us on knapsack inspection and then they inspected us at the cannons. He come along to our company where we were drilling and wanted to know if this was Co. A and they told him it was. He said that he remembered Co. A & he said that we was the best drilled company that he had seen in the Battalion.

Mary Mot has gone to live with some folks a little ways from here. Tell Charley that I am afraid that he will lose his dear little Mary but I neglected to write before. I don’t want you to wait as long as I have.

I heard that Olive Bishop was dead. I tell you that Lon felt bad and so did I for it was sad news and it was unexpected news to me and I guess that it was to all. But we must be on the guard and be prepared for another world. I must close for this time. The Boys are all well. Roll is getting well. He is on duty. Give my love to all. Write soon. From your best friend, — F. M. Presley

To Berl.