Letter from Consider Willett to Gordon Willett, April 7, 1864
Courtesy of Judy and Willett Gorham
Courtesy of Judy and Willett Gorham
Cousin Gordon,
It is with pleasure and satisfaction that I can write you that we were paid four months pay this afternoon, and that I can send you the pay for the favors which you were so kind in giving me. I have lost my careless memorandum, also the bills of the goods purchased; but if I recollect rightly, the 1st was $62.00 the last $12.00, making $74.00 in all, which sum I shall enclose in this letter. $70.00 will be a check on the Assistant Treasurer of the U.S. at New York, the four dollars will be in good greenbacks and the boots will make the interest. If I have made any mistake please write me so that i can rectify it. You will please send me the note which I gave you. I wish to formally thank you for your kindness in rendering me such practical assistance when I stood so much in need of it. If I am never able to repay that goodness, I hope at least to lead such a life that you may think me worthy of all the trouble I have caused you.
There is no news here except that we have been paid which absorbs all other topics as the McClelan Army of the Potomac used to. I am waiting to receive letters from Mary and Jim. I wish that you could come down here to stay a few days with me. I am sure that you would be delighted with the climate and attracted by the tropical scenery which abounds.
This place is frequently visited by soldiers on their way to New Orleans -- tonight the 14 N.H. Vol. who did provost duty so long in Washington are here -- their band is delighting the multitude at the band house beside giving serenades at many of the dwelling places of the great ones. The N.H. boys are just from home where they went to give Gilmore a rousing majority. I do not hope to aid in such an enterprise in a long while.
Tell me about the Army of the Potomac, and of the 44 N.Y. Vol. if you see them on the A & O.R.R. Tell Abram that I should be glad to get a letter from him. Do not forget to give my love to all. You must excuse a short and uninteresting letter. Hoping to hear from you directly -- I am a friend and cousin under kind obligations to you,
C.H. Willett.
Key West,
Fla.
To
Gordon Willett
Washington D.C.
I have to me an unpleasant word to add. LAst night some one came into my tent and carried off my pocket book which as good fortune would have it -- contained only $70.00 I searched for it carefully in the Batt. but was unable to find the least clue to the rascality. As good can come evil, I suppose or will hope that the loss of it will save me from indulging in some vice which may bewitchingly come before me.
Note: In the early years of the war, Gordon worked with the Sanitary Commission, aiding the wounded and transporting them on hospital boats; his 3 brothers served in the 1st U.S. Sharpshooters in 1861-62/ After they were discharged for various health reasons, Abram was employed with the Treasury Department in Washington and James and Gordon became sutlers with a New York regiment in the Army of the Potomac.
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