GOODELL FAMILY LETTERS- #31
 

Anson to Parents

Fort Gaston
Monday October 19^th 1863

Dear Father and Mother

            Your precious lines bearing date 12^th came to hand yesterday. It always does me “heaps” of good to hear from home by letter and I often think “would I could more often write of better health both spiritual and physical.”

            What to think of myself I hardly know. It seems sometimes that my privileges are a curse to me – that I have so little to do my exercise is not sufficient to keep my blood in healthy circulation. I am allowed to do so nearly as I am a mind to that my exercise is not sufficiently regular. We shall have more drill for the future probably from which I expect to be benefited. I am much better know than when I wrote the letter in pencil. I feel more like myself than for a number of weeks before and if I felt well as I used to it is possible you might hear some strange things – possibly that I was no longer a member of Co. D. I had an opportunity to change my branch of service from Infantry to Signal Corps where there are two classes of Privates – one getting $17.00 the other $13.00 per month and all are mounted. The duty here is very much like picket. The signal stations are so fixed as to be in sight of each other by means of a glass and they have four men on a post – giving each man six hours of watching duty each day of 24 hours. It would be lonesome duty to me and my situation here is so pleasant that I cannot leave it. I am strongly attached to my Co. though some of my special friends are leaving it. And I want to be with Edwin as long as I can.

            I am favoring myself with regards to edibles quite extravagantly and they have done me much good. Oysters, fish, and sweet potatoes. I have bought and am much paid for the expense. That box sent last month came to hand Saturday in much better condition

Than we expected to find it after laying around so long I found a cheese marked to Abiel. Edwin_____ a paper of Mass marked to A.P. I cut the cheese giving Abiel half of it and the dried apples was divided giving Abiel his share the remainder is all presently together and our family are eating it with a double relish since it came from home. Since father mother brother or sister was the generous donor and took the pains to send it so far to us. Who sent the cookies to me. The handwriting looks like Fannies but most like Waldo! So I couldn’t tell whether they came from you Mother or someone else. Whoever they came from they are fresh and good.

            Can it be that Lucius Waldron is dead[1]. I cannot make it seem real – sad indeed. It must be a terrible blow to Mr. Waldron’s family. I am not surprised that Anna takes his death thus severely cut down as he was when he was just merging into mature manhood. And I can associate with Lucius no more. Did he give any evidence of a hope in Christ before he died? Would I could here that ere his death he became a Christian.

            I am glad you sent my shirts to Edwin for they will come directly in a box by express. They might not get to me before the middle of next month. And you better believe that we will all be glad to see Edwin as well as get my shirts. He is a treasure for a brother and I am ashamed of myself for receiving so many kindnesses from him and giving so few in return. The boys are mostly well – Morton is having some of the chills again slightly. My own health is improving. I have just come in from drill and stand it first rate.

                                    Good bye        Affectionately your son       Anson

[Written sideways on first page]

There is much said about our Regt. being collected and sent to Fortress Monroe. Gen Foster perhaps will in a few weeks be dated Yorktown instead of Newbern, N.C. I have no confidence in the rumor for there are so many of our men detailed in the City. I should not think they would take us away.