Justus F. Gale to Sister
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Miss S. A. Gale
ElmoreLamoille CountyVermont
Steamer State Granite8th Vt Reg Co AMarch 7th 1862Dear Sister
I wil write a line to let you know where I am. I left Camp Holbrook the 6th at half
past one in P.M. at half past 9 in the eave I found my self at New Haven Conn. we
there took Steamer for N. Y. it is now a little past 2 O clock in the morn at six we
shal be at N. Y. there is some talk that we
shal stop at N Y 2 or 3 days
and then sail for Ship Island. we had a pleasant ride on the cars. had a nice treat
Springfield Mass saw many Ladies which cheerd us with their smiles and kind words. it
is nice riding on the watter to night no hard winds are blowing. my health is good
now have got red of my cold. there has not been much snow since I was at home. down
through Mass there is only just snow enough to make it good sleigh ing, about 12 or
15 inches, & at new haven only enough to cover the ground. I pitty the folks that
have to live in Elmore this
year to dig through the snow. I received your
welcom letter the mor we left Camp and was glad to hear from you all. I presume you
have got the letters I sent to Father Lyman & Charles a few days ago. and the
money I sent home. I want you should write and let me know so that I shant worey.
there was 45 rebel officers taken through Springfield the day before we came through
there and the lowest officer was a Major. they was taken at fort donnilson. I began
to think when I got on board the steamer and went out on deck and looked over the
other vessels (what I could in the night)
that before I got to Ship
Island that I should see some- thing more than is to be seen in Elmore or Vermont
(exce- pt snow) I think much of the folks that I have left at home but thinking
perhaps that It wil not be long before rebellian wil be put down and I shal have an
opp- ortunity to come and think that our freedom wil not be distur- bed it gives me
courage to per- cevere trusting in him who is able to rule all things and keep all
that trust in him. the Elmore boys are all wel our Company was all able to come with
us but one. excuse this poor writing for it goes by water Direct as before til you
have further information. please write soon and oblige your bub
J. F. Gale