Item description: Letter, dated 26 August 1861, from William Ray Wells (12th New York Infantry Regiment, “Onondaga Regiment”) to his sister, Mary S. Hall, in Tully, N.Y. In his letter, Wells suggests a few things that his sister may send to him in a care package, including shirts, socks, and dominoes.

[Transcription available below images.]

Item citation: From folder 2 of the William Ray Wells Papers #2960-z, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Item transcription:

Upton’s Hill
Oct. 20th 61

Sister Mary,

I have just rec.d your letter and will hasten to reply. I do not know as I have any thing in particular that I wish you to send unless it is some shirts which I need. Those socks I need also more than any thing else. I cannot imagine what it is you are going to send that would pay for the trouble of sending. I spoke to Lieut. Combe about sending it and he says to send by express and direct the same as a letter. I shall have to wait till tomorrow and then finish this as it is so dark I cannot see the lines.

Oct 27. I will now try and finish this since writing the above I have thought of one other thing and that is those dominoes if they are to be found. we continue to find potatoes yet but they are getting few and far between. we have not moved yet but expected to for two or three days after we rec.d the order until it was countermanded. there is only one trouble by sending the package by express and that is I cannot get it until I get my pay. I may get it the first of the month and may not. there is $26.00 coming me. I rec.d your letter and paper safe. but I must close. write often

from your brother

Ray