The following letter was written by 34 year-old Samuel Hoppenstedt who enlisted at Gardiner in August 1862 to serve three years in Co. A, 156 New York Infantry. He mustered into the regiment in November 1862 and mustered out on 23 October 1865 at Augusta, Georgia. He mentions one comrade in the letter, Abram Fuller, who was wounded in action later in 1864 at Winchester, Virginia.

Samuel wrote the letter to his friend, Abraham (“Abram”) Selah Schoonmaker (1819-1879) of Gardiner, Ulster county, New York. Abraham was married to Cornelia DuBois (1826-1886).

Note: This letter is from the personal collection of Kyle A. Williams and was offered for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by express consent.

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

Baton Rouge, Louisiana
February 20, 1864

Friend Abram,

I sit down to take the opportunity to write you a few lines to inform you that I am well and I hope these few lines may find you and the rest of your family enjoying the same blessing. I have wrote you two letters and han’t had no answer from you. You could not [have] got mine or I have not got yours. It is one or the other. So I thought I would write to you for I felt inquisitive to know how you all got along. I heard that the children had all been sick with the scarlet fever and I would like to know how they are getting along. Abram Fuller got a letter from William the other day stating that they was all sick.

The weather has been very nice for a spell back till yesterday and today it has been cold. Yesterday it snowed. It is bad on the peach blossom and plum blossoms. The trees was white of blossoms. They are plowing and planting potatoes here and making gardens.

Abram, the 22nd of the month this state [will] elect a governor. Then there will be a big time here. These citizens in this place was one year ago strong secesh. Now they are strong Union. They have turned their coat wrong side out this spring. Now they hide their gray sots [?] and put on the blue. It is a good thing for them, I think. By next fall they will all put on the blue and hang up the old stars and stripes for Old Jeff is getting tired of riding the milk steer on Old Abe. The mule helping out the mule is too long winded for the milk steer for the steer is most give out.

I hear that Johnson has left the Gilford and gone to New Jersey and Dewitt is coming in his place. When I heard that, it was big news for me for I thought [he] was pleased. Fuller is well and full of fun. He is in the cook house again.

We are in the rear of Baton Rouge yet. It begins to look like home. I will have to stop for this time for my paper is most full. So I will close my letter by sending my love to you all. Write soon. Tell Carly and the children to write. This is from your friend, — Samuel Hoppen Stedt to his friend, Abram S. Schoonmaker

Co. A, 156 Regt., NYSM, Baton Rouge, La.

Care of Col. [Jacob] Sharpe

Good night.