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.] Item 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]