2 July 1864: “I have been at work shading my tent + am so hot + feel so dirty, that I hardly can write[…]”

Item description: Letter dated 2 July 1864, from Andrew Lucas Hunt to his mother, Sophia Hunt, about camp life and news from home.  Andrew Lucas Hunt (1843-1905) of Chicago, Ill., was an officer with the 134th Illinois Regiment, United States Army, during the Civil War.

[This is a two-part letter that continues on 3 July 1864.]18640702_01 18640702_02Item citation:  Letter dated 2 July 1864, in the Andrew Lucas Hunt Papers, #3225, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Item transcription:

Columbus July 2, 1864
 
My dear Mother
I am so very behind hand in writing home that I fear that I can never catch up.  The box came to hand the day before yesterday, I am very glad to have it –my best is a very nice one just what was wanted.  My jacket is also very usefull – will do for night duty.  The shoes I have not tried on – have not had time to.  I would have written yesterday but was ordered to take command of a squad of men to go outside of the picket lines – on a forage – and it took me all day – this A.M. I had to go down town with the Colonel – so my time was taken up till now.  I have written to Henry Chapin I was very sorry to hear of the death of his Father.  I saw a letter of John Chapins received the day before your letter. He did not say his father was unwell – it must have been very sudden.  I have been at work shading my tent + am so hot + feel so dirty, that I hardly can write – I took the old pr of pants to the tailor at the soldiers rest to fix up.  I am now weary the pr sent down there the box – they are rather small but will do for occasional wear.  I have some twelve letters to write – I am afraid I can’t answer each personally – but let my letter be an answer to them all.  I will try to write long letter[s] + write them often.  We had a call today from Frank Gilman.  Hamilton knows him – he is orderly Sergeant of his brother’s company in the 141st – which arrived here yesterday – Being out in the sun all day yesterday – and this am – I feel very measly today.
 
[Letter continues on 3 July 1864]

 

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