Letter from Abraham Cummins to George Cummins - 25 AUG 1862
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Title
Letter from Abraham Cummins to George Cummins - 25 AUG 1862
Subject
Description
Letter written by Abraham Cummins to his brother George Cummins while Abraham was at Camp Lawrence, Cumberland, Maryland on 25 AUG 1862.
Creator
Abraham C. Cummins
Date
25 AUG 1862
Rights
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
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https://www.mrcpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Cummins_25AUG1862.jpg
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JPG
Language
English
Type
Text
Identifier
Cummins25AUG1862
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Transcription
Camp Lawrence
Cumberland Md.
August 25th 1862
Dear Brother:
On yesterday I received your long looked for letter. You must know that I was pleased to learn of the fine condition of old Company “I”. Be it so always until they have assisted in putting down this rebellion and then return home to enjoy all the honor and glory they so well achieved. My last thoughts at night and my first at waking are for the dear boys who were always so true. I lament the unkind and scoundrely plottings that separated us. Thank God there is a future for myself as well as my enemies and we may all have the opportunity of showing who is the readiest to give his life for his country.
Poor Burns, should we ever meet. I will show him the fruits of his base ingratitude and awful perfidy. Set him alone he is unworthy of respect. I regret that you are compelled to associate with one who has shown himself so base and unworthy.
I am very glad that you are at home. It will be a great pleasure for our sisters to see you and talk with you.
(page 2)
I never learned of the disturbances at home until David wrote me. I regretted it deeply. It ought not to be. I am sorry to say that I think mother does not like Eliza and Rebecca. If she would try she’d get along with them I am certain. When I was at home in May last, I am certain they were both dutiful and kind. It may be better as it is. They are now where they will both be properly cared for and will learn something. I am afraid it will make father lonesome. I wish it were so that they could all live together in peace and quietude. But since this cannot be done it is better as it is. I would not advise you to resign. The boys might be imposed upon. I would have you remain with the boys as long as you can without permanently injuring your health. All must make sacrifices to save our Country. Father ought to be willing to share you longer when you are so badly needed. I am not certain whether I will continue in the service or not. There is so much humbugging in the service that one gets almost disgusted. I don’t know whether I will have opportunity to go on in the service. The Regts may be all
(page 3)
all filled up. The positions may all be taken. If this should be the case, I may go to California the present fall. I am anxious to commence life. To get into a position when I may lay up “something for a rainy day.” To cultivate the acquaintance of a community where I expect to spend the remainder of my days be they many or few. You know I spoke frequently of this idea last winter. I am more determined than ever in its fulfillment. I have no idea in making home in Ohio. I am sorry to leave my friends and go so far to make a house, but I have thought that the climate, the country and many other things would be more favorable for me. There is a member of our Regt. Who has resided five or six years at Marysville Cal and is going to return there this fall. He gives the most glowing description of the country and the facilities for doing business.
I would like to have you go with me but this can scarcely be. Father will expect you to live with him. I have no ties that will bind me to any particular place. If I have success in fifteen years of hard work at my profession, I should have a competence.
(page 4)
Then I may expect to look at life a little cooler than now. These are my intentions now but I cannot say what time and circumstance may do. This country will never be what it once was. Society will be broken from its lowest foundations. A complete reorganization must take place. This fierce tide of war will not so much disturb the gentle shores of the Pacific. We expect to be at Camp Chase in a couple of weeks and will unless some contingency occurs to keep us here. The boys are very anxious as the time approaches to get home. Remaining in one camp for “three months” is very tiresome. If we had seen a little more active service it would have pleased the boys better. The boys make excellent soldiers. I have had no trouble with any of them. They only want to know their duty to do it. Geo Snyder makes an exellent Ord. Sergt. And my other non-commissioned officers are very good. Lt. Smith is considered one of the best Lts in the Regt.—he is so faithful.
(page 5)
I need not wish you a pleasant visit. You will have all the attention a greatful community can bestow upon you. I wish I could only be there to see you. You will go to Bucyrus and see Rebecca and bear her my love. I wrote her a letter a few days ago. We had a Battallion drill this morning and went through the street firings in advance and retreat with blank cartridges. It was done well. I am detached from the Company but generally drill there in Battallion when I can possibly be present. Charlie Moore has been spending nearly a week with us and goes back with his Capt today to New Creek Va. He is the same “Charlie” you knew at Shelby years ago. He is a very good hearted fellow and will make his way through life somehow. Alf McMillen makes a good soldier and desires to be remembered to you. Says he will write you. John Porter, Washington Garnhart and Christian Shatzer are still unwell. Mr. Garnhart is better I think and so is John Porter. Christian Shatzer is pretty sick yet.
(page 6)
We are doing all we can to have them restored to health. I think they will be better in a few days. I will keep David advised of their health and hope soon to be able to announce their recovery.
This is a rough, barren looking country but is considered generally healthy. Saml H. Anderson is still at Clarysville and I am looking for him down every day. He was to be here on Saturday. But I expect he does not mend as fast as he expected. The general health of our Regt is improving. The boys—except those mentioned have good health. All the boys send their best regards to you and desire to wish you a pleasant visit and hope to be in Camp Chase when you go through there on your return. Make my respects on to David and his family and to Eliza and to all enquiring friends.
Truly your Brother
Abe
PS You will excuse haste and imperfections as I was compelled to write this in a great hurry and attend to my duties in the Court at the same time.
Col B. Burns is still here
Cumberland Md.
August 25th 1862
Dear Brother:
On yesterday I received your long looked for letter. You must know that I was pleased to learn of the fine condition of old Company “I”. Be it so always until they have assisted in putting down this rebellion and then return home to enjoy all the honor and glory they so well achieved. My last thoughts at night and my first at waking are for the dear boys who were always so true. I lament the unkind and scoundrely plottings that separated us. Thank God there is a future for myself as well as my enemies and we may all have the opportunity of showing who is the readiest to give his life for his country.
Poor Burns, should we ever meet. I will show him the fruits of his base ingratitude and awful perfidy. Set him alone he is unworthy of respect. I regret that you are compelled to associate with one who has shown himself so base and unworthy.
I am very glad that you are at home. It will be a great pleasure for our sisters to see you and talk with you.
(page 2)
I never learned of the disturbances at home until David wrote me. I regretted it deeply. It ought not to be. I am sorry to say that I think mother does not like Eliza and Rebecca. If she would try she’d get along with them I am certain. When I was at home in May last, I am certain they were both dutiful and kind. It may be better as it is. They are now where they will both be properly cared for and will learn something. I am afraid it will make father lonesome. I wish it were so that they could all live together in peace and quietude. But since this cannot be done it is better as it is. I would not advise you to resign. The boys might be imposed upon. I would have you remain with the boys as long as you can without permanently injuring your health. All must make sacrifices to save our Country. Father ought to be willing to share you longer when you are so badly needed. I am not certain whether I will continue in the service or not. There is so much humbugging in the service that one gets almost disgusted. I don’t know whether I will have opportunity to go on in the service. The Regts may be all
(page 3)
all filled up. The positions may all be taken. If this should be the case, I may go to California the present fall. I am anxious to commence life. To get into a position when I may lay up “something for a rainy day.” To cultivate the acquaintance of a community where I expect to spend the remainder of my days be they many or few. You know I spoke frequently of this idea last winter. I am more determined than ever in its fulfillment. I have no idea in making home in Ohio. I am sorry to leave my friends and go so far to make a house, but I have thought that the climate, the country and many other things would be more favorable for me. There is a member of our Regt. Who has resided five or six years at Marysville Cal and is going to return there this fall. He gives the most glowing description of the country and the facilities for doing business.
I would like to have you go with me but this can scarcely be. Father will expect you to live with him. I have no ties that will bind me to any particular place. If I have success in fifteen years of hard work at my profession, I should have a competence.
(page 4)
Then I may expect to look at life a little cooler than now. These are my intentions now but I cannot say what time and circumstance may do. This country will never be what it once was. Society will be broken from its lowest foundations. A complete reorganization must take place. This fierce tide of war will not so much disturb the gentle shores of the Pacific. We expect to be at Camp Chase in a couple of weeks and will unless some contingency occurs to keep us here. The boys are very anxious as the time approaches to get home. Remaining in one camp for “three months” is very tiresome. If we had seen a little more active service it would have pleased the boys better. The boys make excellent soldiers. I have had no trouble with any of them. They only want to know their duty to do it. Geo Snyder makes an exellent Ord. Sergt. And my other non-commissioned officers are very good. Lt. Smith is considered one of the best Lts in the Regt.—he is so faithful.
(page 5)
I need not wish you a pleasant visit. You will have all the attention a greatful community can bestow upon you. I wish I could only be there to see you. You will go to Bucyrus and see Rebecca and bear her my love. I wrote her a letter a few days ago. We had a Battallion drill this morning and went through the street firings in advance and retreat with blank cartridges. It was done well. I am detached from the Company but generally drill there in Battallion when I can possibly be present. Charlie Moore has been spending nearly a week with us and goes back with his Capt today to New Creek Va. He is the same “Charlie” you knew at Shelby years ago. He is a very good hearted fellow and will make his way through life somehow. Alf McMillen makes a good soldier and desires to be remembered to you. Says he will write you. John Porter, Washington Garnhart and Christian Shatzer are still unwell. Mr. Garnhart is better I think and so is John Porter. Christian Shatzer is pretty sick yet.
(page 6)
We are doing all we can to have them restored to health. I think they will be better in a few days. I will keep David advised of their health and hope soon to be able to announce their recovery.
This is a rough, barren looking country but is considered generally healthy. Saml H. Anderson is still at Clarysville and I am looking for him down every day. He was to be here on Saturday. But I expect he does not mend as fast as he expected. The general health of our Regt is improving. The boys—except those mentioned have good health. All the boys send their best regards to you and desire to wish you a pleasant visit and hope to be in Camp Chase when you go through there on your return. Make my respects on to David and his family and to Eliza and to all enquiring friends.
Truly your Brother
Abe
PS You will excuse haste and imperfections as I was compelled to write this in a great hurry and attend to my duties in the Court at the same time.
Col B. Burns is still here
Collection
Citation
Abraham C. Cummins, “Letter from Abraham Cummins to George Cummins - 25 AUG 1862,” The Sherman Room Archives, accessed May 4, 2024, https://shermanroom.omeka.net/items/show/213.
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