"My Dear Wife..." Letters from a Civil War Soldier

Transcript

Benjamin Barker(1) and George Underhill(2) have come to be corporals with red stripes on their legs and arms, and if we live to come home, we will be such heavy officers that you will hardly be able to touch us with a 30 foot pole. No more at present but still remain your true and affectionate husband,

Simeon A. Tierce

And me too Sergeant Tierce the great I am.

Direct your letters to Camp Plaquemine, 2nd Battalion, 14th Regmt, Rhode Island Heavy Artillery, Co. E., in care of Capt. Geo. W. Cole, for Simeon A. Tierce, Louisiana State

Mr. Simeon Tierce... with my epaulets on my shoulder and my saber by my side and the sash across my shoulder, with this knapsack upon my back, boldly [I] march into the field a rebel for to catch and with this piece of paper you see what will be the result when I catch him.

Tell Sissy that I send her 100,000,000 kisses.

Please give my love to Mrs. Sutherland(3) and tell Mrs. Sutherland for me [I] giver her my compliments, and tell her how I would like to promenade through those parlors with my paris white(4) and pail, and also build a new kitchen for her with my compass and saw; and to see dear little Lucy and Lydia Sutherland(5). And go to Mr. Underdonks(6) if you please and please give my compliments to him and tell him I would like to be behind him when it comes mowing time with my rifle and my scythe.

Don’t stop writing to Mr. Smith(7) on that account because I expect to write two or three to Mary(8) yet.

Tell Mary for me that there is a plenty of young men down here, for there is a plenty. They say I reckon right smart. Tell Mary that she and Sister Sarah Jane Tierce can make convenient to write whatever you are a mind to and I will try to find an answer. And tell old sausy Percilla(9) for my part that she is no better to live alone than I am. And I don’t live alone, for I live with Brother George Mitchell(10), the minister. [He’s] not the man that Silas Mitchell(11) is but he is the chaplain of the battalion; and I and he live in one tent. I have told you now all of the particulars.

I believe I send you my best respects and my love, one oxcart load and one barrel, one hogshead, 2 wheelbarrow loads, and a wagon body full of kisses. No more at present from your true, affectionate, kind, and loving husband,

Simeon Anderson Tierce

Give my love to father and Mother Weeks(12), Fatherand Mother Tierce(13) and all the rest of the enquiring friends. Tell Charles Lockwood(14) for me I shall continue to pray for him as he promised me and his god to meet me in heaven and that is no way for him to do but start and do his first work over again. I stand today living witness for me and god and intend to burn my passage to the skies.

It made my heart ache when I heard that you cursed and swore.

Tell Old Adeline(15) that she had no business to name that child before I came home for I never put in for it, and the next one she names after me I want to be there.

God bless you. Heaven save you is my prayer, so good night, my Dear Wife, Sweet Lady. Kiss Sissy for me.