Merritt L. Pierce, 1st New York Engineers, Letter 8 Nov. 1864, Chaffin's Farm

Description

Merritt L. Pierce, Company "L", 1st New York Engineers, Letter home to his parents, 3 pages, 8 November 1864, from "Camp On Chaffin's Farm," Pierce writes about his health, soldiers from Saranac, New York being taken prisoner, predicting the war will be over this winter and hoping Lincoln will be elected President again, in part:
"
Well to tell the truth I don't gain much and shall not until I have an appetite to eat.  I have had some fever, I am taking bitters now which I think will give me an appetite..... I presume you have heard that Henry Ford has been taken prisoner and most of the boys from Saranac.  Well today is Election Day, seems to me as if Abe will be elected and I hope he will.  I don't suppose father will like to hear this.... I received those gloves all right.... I think the war will be closed up this winter so I can come home, now Father will say what a child, but never mind, look on the bright side, that's my motto.... I would like to have you send me 10 dollars.  Almon has sent home for 20 dollars more and he is in debt to the sutler 10 dollars now.  I never saw such a fellow to spend money...
"
In fine condition.
Merritt L. Pierce joined the 1st New York Engineers out of happenstance when he went to New York City hoping to enter the U.S. Navy.  He was from northern New York state and ended up joining the 1st New York Engineers on 31 August 1864, enlisting in Company "L" along with other friends from his hometown.  He served with the regiment for the rest of the war in Virginia during the Petersburg and Appomattox Campaigns.  In his letters home he mentions other members of his company including Almon C. Emery, John Hunter and William Beckwith.  He generally wrote lengthy letters with good penmanship and spelling.