Letter from Abraham C Cummins to George Cummins - 23 AUG 1862
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from Abraham C Cummins to George Cummins - 23 AUG 1862
Subject
Description
Letter written by Abraham C. Cummins to his brother George Wallace Cummins while Abraham was in Camp Lawrence, Cumberland, Maryland.
Creator
Abraham C. Cummins
Date
23 AUG 1862
Rights
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
Relation
https://www.mrcpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Cummins_23AUG1862.jpg
Format
JPG
Language
English
Type
Text
Identifier
Cummins23AUG1862
Text Item Type Metadata
Transcription
(marginal note) Charlie Moore has been making our (company?) a visit. He looks natural. Talks more Irish than when he was at Shelby drinks less whiskey. He looks well.
Camp Lawrence
Cumberland Md
August 23rd 1862
Dear Brother,
I have just received your letter of the 20th and hasten to reply. I am very glad to know that George has had the pleasure of returning home to his friends and hope rest, the soldiers best medicine, will speedily restore him to health and vigor. My health is improving slowly. There is another abscess forming near the other and I expect to have a sore time for a few days. I would dearly like to get home and see George and learn how Company “I” gets along, but under the circumstances it will be impossible. Our Court Martial is progressing rapidly and we are anxious to get through all the cases. I would have to get a General Order from the War Department releasing me from duty as a member. This you will see would take some time—perhaps could not be accomplished. I will not ask George to come here, much as we would all like to see him—on account of the shortness of his furlough.
(page 2)
He will need all the rest he can get at home to fit him for the field. I am glad he did not resign. I hope he will remain with the boys as long as he can, without permanent injury to his health. When he can not remain with the boys, I must try it again. The boys must be taken care of in Company I. I am at a loss to know what I will do when my term of service will expire.
However I shall do as much as I can to assist in putting down this rebellion. Since its very commencement I have had no thought but for my country. I shall allow nothing to swerve me from a plain sense of duty. I have given good satisfaction in this Regt. And our Col. Says what he can do for me should be done very cheerfully. If I don’t enter the service, I must think of establishing myself in my profession. It is high time that I was thinking of a competence for age. I have no idea when our Regt will return home. Probably about the middle of next month. As yet we have made no arrangements—
(page 3)
Two members of our Regt died last night. A Corporal of Compy “D” from Cleveland and a private from Compy “K” Toledo. Newton Mickey is well again. So inform his mother. S.S. Cline also well. Samuel H. Henderson is improving slowly. Washington Garnhart, Christ Shatzer and John Porter are unwell this morning. Tell their friends I will keep you advised by letter or by telegram when it becomes necessary of their condition. I apprehend nothing serious, but its very hard to tell how catarrh fever may terminate. They are having every attention and we will do all that can be done to restore them to health. Harrison Blubaker is well again. I have been on detached duty now one month and I am anxious to get back again. I sleep in Camp every night and take my breakfast and supper with the boys. Lt. Ayers is an excellent officer the boys like him very much. Lt. Smith also is a good officer and is one aware of the boys and of course has their affection. He would spend his last cent for them and is always looking after the sick. I could not wish better officers. Alf McMillen is one of the best non-commissoned officers
(page 4)
in the Regt. And has a fine reputation. He would make an excellent line officer. I might say the same of many of the boys. I have the second largest company in the Regt for duty. Our boys have stood the work well. Tell George I will write him in a few days. I know he will have a pleasant time and hope he will return to his company in fine health and spirits.
My love to you all
Your Brother
A.C. Cummins
The boys send their best respects to you George.
My best to Sergt Seiters and hope he may suffer no permanent injury to his faithful service to his country. Col B. Burns is here attending a Court Martial as President. He says Capt. Dawson has not resigned. Col. Burns expects to go in the 3 years service. He rather likes soldering. So he says.
Camp Lawrence
Cumberland Md
August 23rd 1862
Dear Brother,
I have just received your letter of the 20th and hasten to reply. I am very glad to know that George has had the pleasure of returning home to his friends and hope rest, the soldiers best medicine, will speedily restore him to health and vigor. My health is improving slowly. There is another abscess forming near the other and I expect to have a sore time for a few days. I would dearly like to get home and see George and learn how Company “I” gets along, but under the circumstances it will be impossible. Our Court Martial is progressing rapidly and we are anxious to get through all the cases. I would have to get a General Order from the War Department releasing me from duty as a member. This you will see would take some time—perhaps could not be accomplished. I will not ask George to come here, much as we would all like to see him—on account of the shortness of his furlough.
(page 2)
He will need all the rest he can get at home to fit him for the field. I am glad he did not resign. I hope he will remain with the boys as long as he can, without permanent injury to his health. When he can not remain with the boys, I must try it again. The boys must be taken care of in Company I. I am at a loss to know what I will do when my term of service will expire.
However I shall do as much as I can to assist in putting down this rebellion. Since its very commencement I have had no thought but for my country. I shall allow nothing to swerve me from a plain sense of duty. I have given good satisfaction in this Regt. And our Col. Says what he can do for me should be done very cheerfully. If I don’t enter the service, I must think of establishing myself in my profession. It is high time that I was thinking of a competence for age. I have no idea when our Regt will return home. Probably about the middle of next month. As yet we have made no arrangements—
(page 3)
Two members of our Regt died last night. A Corporal of Compy “D” from Cleveland and a private from Compy “K” Toledo. Newton Mickey is well again. So inform his mother. S.S. Cline also well. Samuel H. Henderson is improving slowly. Washington Garnhart, Christ Shatzer and John Porter are unwell this morning. Tell their friends I will keep you advised by letter or by telegram when it becomes necessary of their condition. I apprehend nothing serious, but its very hard to tell how catarrh fever may terminate. They are having every attention and we will do all that can be done to restore them to health. Harrison Blubaker is well again. I have been on detached duty now one month and I am anxious to get back again. I sleep in Camp every night and take my breakfast and supper with the boys. Lt. Ayers is an excellent officer the boys like him very much. Lt. Smith also is a good officer and is one aware of the boys and of course has their affection. He would spend his last cent for them and is always looking after the sick. I could not wish better officers. Alf McMillen is one of the best non-commissoned officers
(page 4)
in the Regt. And has a fine reputation. He would make an excellent line officer. I might say the same of many of the boys. I have the second largest company in the Regt for duty. Our boys have stood the work well. Tell George I will write him in a few days. I know he will have a pleasant time and hope he will return to his company in fine health and spirits.
My love to you all
Your Brother
A.C. Cummins
The boys send their best respects to you George.
My best to Sergt Seiters and hope he may suffer no permanent injury to his faithful service to his country. Col B. Burns is here attending a Court Martial as President. He says Capt. Dawson has not resigned. Col. Burns expects to go in the 3 years service. He rather likes soldering. So he says.
Collection
Citation
Abraham C. Cummins, “Letter from Abraham C Cummins to George Cummins - 23 AUG 1862,” The Sherman Room Archives, accessed April 20, 2024, https://shermanroom.omeka.net/items/show/212.
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