“Aaron Martin to Brother.” (1862) Rice University: https://hdl.handle.net/1911/92638.


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In Camp near Nashville
Dec. 22nd

Dear Brother,
I have waited anxiously 
for a letter from home since 
last Saturday, but have waited in 
vain. It has been over two weeks since 
I rec'd a letter from home, 
well Billy I have not much to 
write to you this time. I write simply
to let you know how I am 
getting along to fullfill [[2nd ‘l’ crossed out]] my promise 
(that I would write a note every week. 
I wrote mother little over a week 
ago. At that time I was unwell, 
"Now" I am enjoying good health. 
Nothing new has transpired during 
the past week to break in upon 
the monotony of camp life. Only 
a few Camp rumers without any 
truth in them such as the following:

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"That Richmond- was ours & 
that Banks and Sigel were killed in 
taking it," "That Burnside, the President 
& the entire cabinet had resigned," 
"That Jeff. Davis had hung himself," 
To day we rec'd news that 
Burnside & Sec. Seward had resigned, 
this last report was taken from 
the Nashville daily. A great many 
think it is true, perhaps it is, I am 
not going to believe it, until I 
hear it affirmed as a certain 
truth. We have one fellow in our 
company about 32 years of age 
that I have a sight of fun with, 
he is homesick & anxious to get out 
of the army. he is always on the 
alert when the daily's comes into 
camp to find out what the news 
is, & his ears are always open to catch 
every repert circulated by the boys 
It makes no matter how foolish a report 
may be he will swallow it,

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Without making any bones about it. 
Poor Fellow I wish for his sake he was 
at home again. Billy, he is an Abolitinist 
& is in favor of having the war 
closed by a compromise. How does 
father & Mrs. [[Develle?]] agree in politics 
now, is she as rabid in her [[pl? crossed out]] 
political views as ever, If so I wish she 
was a man & compeled to serve in 
the army as a private in the rear 
rank & also to endure the hardships 
& suffering of a march like the 
one I have been through. And my 
word for it she would not be any [[les? crossed out]] 
more anxious to fight south than 
(those) who have opposed the war from 
the begining, Billy it is an easy thing 
for Wendall [[Philips crossed out]] Phillips or any 
one of his mind to talk about fighting 
& whipping the south, you can do 
it as well as he. How long do you think 
Wendall would be willing to march 
say 20 miles a day with a knapsack 

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strapped on his back & carry in addition 
a blanket, canteen, & haversack with 4 
days ration in it. & live on hard cracker 
& army coffee, & sleep on the ground at 
night with nothing but the canopy of 
heaven for a covering? I dont think he 
would be willing to serve his country
long in such a position. [[long crossed out]] he [[unclear crossed out]] 
would be after falling out by the side of the 
road as many of our boys did & wish to 
himself that “war and rumers of wars” were 
no more. Yes, & he would despise the flat-
nosed ,thick lipped, black skined 
individuals as bad as any one. Billy 
how are you getting along with your school? 
How does debating flourish at present? What 
do you intend to do Christmas (it comes day after 
to morrow) take a ride with your gal I presume
How does Mary E & that simpleton of a Wilcox 
hitch now? The weather is pleasant & warm 
at present I dont think I shall be abl to get 
a sleighride this winter. You must take a good 
long one for me. I had a letter from Neal 
last week, they are all well at Rockford. She sent me 
the Prefs with Uncle Aaron's death in it & one with 
Mr. Culbertsons in dated Dec. 4th. I was detailed 
to go out foraging last week Thursday 
a very large train went out, they went into the 
enemy country 5 or 6 miles beyond our pickets.
The wagons from our Reg't got hay, it was as good hay 
as I ever saw. It was not short like our meadow hay 
for we pitched it on to the wagons with our bayonet 
fixed on to our guns. Tell mother that I not only 
can make biscuit & fried cakes, but jhonny 
cake. Remember me kindly to all my friends 
Love to you all.
From your affectionate brother,
Aaron Martin

[[marginalia upside down postscript at top of page 1]]
P. S. If you have not sent me any money 
but the $100 I rec’d, I wish you would send me 
some more, Aaron