Civil War Soldier Letter
Elijah Brown of Woodbury, VT
2nd Vermont Regiment
"E. Brown: December 14, 1862
Fairfax Seminary Hospital, VT your Brother
Camp Grifen Louisville Va Dec 14th
Dear Sister Frankey
Your letter was recieved some time ago and I should have answered it before
but I have been very sick and in the hospital and have had A fever and it left
me very low Bill Stow is very sick with the tyfoid fever he is in the hospital
he is very sick I get up to see him most every day my fever setted in my legs
and I am very lame it is hard work for me to walk the doctor thinks that I am
going have another fever I am going down in health every day I feel low spirited
and I feel as thoug I was alone in this Ruined State of Va. it is pleasant
weather here now but it is very cold nights the 5th Regt has lost 27 men and the
6th Regt has lost about the same I dont think of any more to say this time so
good by from your Brother Elijah Brown 2nd VT VA Co G Washington DC"
Fairfax Seminary Hospital, VT your Brother
Camp Grifen Louisville Va Dec 14th
Dear Sister Frankey
Your letter was recieved some time ago and I should have answered it before
but I have been very sick and in the hospital and have had A fever and it left
me very low Bill Stow is very sick with the tyfoid fever he is in the hospital
he is very sick I get up to see him most every day my fever setted in my legs
and I am very lame it is hard work for me to walk the doctor thinks that I am
going have another fever I am going down in health every day I feel low spirited
and I feel as thoug I was alone in this Ruined State of Va. it is pleasant
weather here now but it is very cold nights the 5th Regt has lost 27 men and the
6th Regt has lost about the same I dont think of any more to say this time so
good by from your Brother Elijah Brown 2nd VT VA Co G Washington DC"
This letter, written by soldier Elijah Brown to his sister, is quite disheartening. One can read the letter and instantly realize the sickness and depression that many soldiers experienced throughout their time serving their country. Brown as been infected with a very serious fever that is taking over most of his body. He my have contracted the fever from the poor living conditions at his camps as well as unsanitary food. Many soldiers died from sickness as well as bullets. Eventually, Brown fails to write a responding letter to his sister because of his death.
The choosing if this letter was to describe the emotional and physical aching of the soldiers that went to war. This letter clearly portrays the emotional pain from the word choices such as "low spirited" and "alone". Many soldiers sought light and happiness in writing back home or to a lover. The physical pain described Brown's letter creates the actually feeling in one's legs or chest or head.
The choosing if this letter was to describe the emotional and physical aching of the soldiers that went to war. This letter clearly portrays the emotional pain from the word choices such as "low spirited" and "alone". Many soldiers sought light and happiness in writing back home or to a lover. The physical pain described Brown's letter creates the actually feeling in one's legs or chest or head.