1861 Civil War Soldier Muster Elmira NY Co K 24th Regt NYSV Letter To Wife #3

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 June 2nd 1861
My dear Wife,
Today is Sunday and as I did not feel like going up town to meeting for the reason that I would rather talk to you. I take my seat on a bunk with a rough pine board nailed across the posts for a table and with my pencil in hand I shall try to write. I wrote an answer to your list last Thursday and thought I had sent it, but looking among my letters yesterday I found that I was mistaken, so you will receive this soon after that. I mailed it yesterday.
I have just written to Doctor Buell in regard to the families of Our Volunteers, some of them complain that their wives want clothing and money and if the committee does not furnish it, they (the Volunteers), will come home. Surely they will not let them suffer.
We received from Belleville yesterday, with joy, 3 tubs of butter, two cheeses, 4 bottles of tomato ketchup which shows that our friends have not forgotten us and out of which we had a good feast. We cannot express our thanks in words, but everyone feels.
My dear gal you seemed to think because I had not had my pants off that I did not wash myself, but I went to sleep. I take a bath in the river everyday when not too cold. I shall take care of myself as well as I can.
This is certainly a most delightful day and has been fine weather for the week past. Everything looks green and nice, corn and potatoes are just peeping out of the ground, winter wheat looks very well and spring green is up and growing fast and the farmers put on smiling faces. It is comparatively still here today.
George and some 20 more of the boys have gone up town to meeting and those that are left are engaged in writing to the loved ones left behind, except one or two who would die if they should keep still.
The Buffalo regiment is drilling so as to be in good order for the work that is before them. They and the Cayuga regiment have received orders to leave for Washington on Tuesday next.
The Rochester and Syracuse left last Wednesday for the seat of war.  That will diminish our numbers to about 4000 here. The troops are all quartered in the barracks which must suit the citizens very well for most of them began to be rather unruly. The Rochester and Syracuse regiment occupied 36 cars and most of them being freight cars the boys felt first rate of course and were bound to have a breathing hole and soon their bayonets were seen through the sides of the car quickly followed by the butts of their muskets. When everyone had a window of his own then came the word "Tiger".  Probably you do not understand the word Tiger. Well after giving three cheers for anything, then comes Tiger and everyone yells the worst he can.
I have just returned from a first rate dinner and am now thinking whether you had as good. I'll bet you did not have a better.
Clark Whitney starts for home tomorrow. He came back here and was examined but not accepted. I do not know but I shall send this by him.
We have preaching here this afternoon (at the barracks) at four o'clock. Our shoes and shirts and drawers are on their way here and we expect the remainder of our uniforms the last of the week, so we feel that we shall soon look like soldiers. The news came here last night that the rebels had taken possession of Cincinnati (is that spelled right) but is hardly credited here. Well wife I must cut this letter short, so you must excuse its shortness four we have to meet at the officers quarters in a few minutes to sing. I will write again in a day or two, kiss my little dear Frankie and take one or two for yourself. I long to see you, time seems awfully long. We are all well and in good spirits tell me all the news, goodbye, God bless you.
Three cheers for the red white and blue. There I am called to go. Frank