Goold, James (b. 1842) to Abby Goold
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.05.20 Author/Creator: Goold, James (b. 1842) Place Written: Alexandria, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 2 February 1864 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20 x 25 cm. Order a Copy
Writes to his mother thanking her for letters, a photograph, and a box which contained dried fruit, corn, beans, cheese, and tongue. Tells her that when she writes to his brother Theodore she "must encourage him to presevere, also to learn to sing and play chess, anything to keep him out of the city, which I am told is full of wickedness." Discusses his parents' decision to move back to Albany: "In the city there will be better church and school privilages, you will be surrounded by friends, and will have a better chance to obtain help in the house. On the other hand in the country you have better air, better vegetables and fruit. and more of them, I think." Reports to her that "I went to the Episcopal Church with some of the boys, last Sunday evening, it was the same church that George Washington." (Sentence ends abruptly but Goold was possibly referring to the church George Washington attended). He, along with the rest of the regiment, were vaccinated last week and has felt no effect.
James Goold enlisted on 29 August 1862 at Macedon, NY as a Private. He was mustered into "F" Co. NY 25th Infantry. On 19 June 1863 he was transferred into "I" Co. NY 44th Vet Infantry.
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