1861 Civil War Soldier Muster Elmira NY Co K 24th Regt NYSV Letter To Wife #2

Description

Letter written by soldier Frank Teear to his wife Lestina (L. Williams) soon after he mustered in.
TEEAR , FRANK (FRANCIS).—Age , 27 years. Enlisted, May 7, 1861, at
Ellisburg, to serve two years; mustered in as private, Co. K , 24th Reg't, NYSV
May 17, 1861; promoted sergeant, date not stated; killed,
August 30, 1862, at Bull Run, Va.
Elmira             May 31st 1861
My Dear and ever true wife,
I received yours of the 28th with joy, when the mail arrived I was sitting in the corner of our barrack room partly asleep, thinking of you and my dear little Franky, and wishing I could see you a short time. I confess that at times I feel a little "blue" not that my determination to sweep every rebel from our country has abated one iota, but because that natural feeling which is common to all, (a love of home and wife and children) will rise in spite of my endeavors to put it down. There is no one dearer to me on this globe than you, I might have done wrong by leaving you in the condition that you say you are, but I could hardly believe it, if it is so, why we must make the best of it, it is nobody's business but our own. It seems my dear wife that you cannot suffer while I am engaged in this glorious cause, surely the God of the widow and the orphan will not forget the lonely, surely my dear wife you wrote a desponding letter this time, or else it's seems so to me, probably my being in rather a desponding mood made a difference.  In regard to you keeping house this coming winter I shall let you use your own judgment and I shall send you every cent that I can while I live, I do not expect to make anything out of this. I did not enter into it for that purpose, but if I can only make you comfortable that is all I ask, so my dear gal cheer up and hope for the best.
When you want a girl get one, but I live in hopes of seeing you by the 4th of July if we are not ordered off to the seat of war in a hurry, but do not be too sanguine for I may disappoint you. I am glad that Joseph has got a good hand and well suited and wish him all the success that a brother could wish and a story that is started about my leaving because we could not agree is not worth noticing, he knows me and I know him and that is enough, but people must have something to talk about, but I deny the statement.
I want you to keep those pictures and have them framed and also to send me your likeness and the babies as soon as you can. I shall send you mine when I get my uniforms. Hiram is sitting by my side writing and George is on guard. H says he will write in a day or two to Joseph. I should write to Joseph but I suppose he hears all of my letters read and that is just as well.
You said you wanted to know how we lived. In the first place I take the liberty to say that Joe Freeman is not the exponent of the Ellisburg company. He must remember also that if they do not treat other people well they cannot expect to be treated well, I do not know of a dissatisfied one in our company. Sometimes we do not get as good as we would wish, but we do not make a fuss about it, we on the whole live first rate.  Our fare consists of bread, always fresh from the bakers, good beef, first rate soup, potatoes, beans, pork good, sometimes tea and not very good coffee and also eggs with applesauce and about twice a week we have pudding and milk do you think we shall starve?
I guess Joe is homesick don't you? Tell Joseph I should like to have a piece of that cheese and also a little butter but we can do without. We had a tub of butter sent us and also a cheese from Ellisburgh.  Doctor Buell says in his letter to me this morning that he will send us two more next Friday morning (this morning).   Edward Hawes and Aulding Searles left us day before yesterday for home.
I hear I must leave you for a short time to drill!
Well wife I am here again to finish this I hope before dinner. We have had two hours drill in the hot sun so you may think that I sweat some. George Clark from Belleville was here yesterday went home this morning. We had a fine parade last night formed a hollow square to hear the glad tidings of our soon receiving our uniforms. We are to have our shoes and shirts on Tuesday next and the rest last of the week. We are to be sworn in as soon as United States officer arrives. Governor Morgan thought it proper to repudiate the contract for the clothing as that which has been received is very poor so we shall gain something by waiting. Doctor Buell says that Mirt Stacy has got another child and also Amelia fish.  Tell them when you see them that I wish them much success, I am feeling first rate in health and I heartily wish you and my little one the same. If there is any possible way of getting away you may expect me home about 4th of July. I sent you a letter last Tuesday and sat down and answered the one I received this morning as quick as I had read it. You must write as often as you can and tell me all the news. Yours in love and forever. Frank God bless you
*Extra small note included-
Do you want to know how I feel. I will express it in the language of a Massachusetts boy to his father "I have grown two feet in one day I prefer gunpowder to butter on my bread and have made arrangements forever hereafter to sleep in a cannon" ain't that good. ha ha ha, but I do not think I shall sleep forever in a cannon. You must send me a paper once in awhile. Our regiment is called the 24th Oswego. You must get Frederick to get the interest on that note of Martins that is due on the 1st of June if you want the principal get that too. I shall write to Mr Maillard soon and settle with him. Well I must close, Good bye    Frank