Tillotson, George W. (fl. 1830-1918) To his wife
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04558.034 Author/Creator: Tillotson, George W. (fl. 1830-1918) Place Written: Roanoke Island, North Carolina Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 30 July 1862 Pagination: 6 p. ; 20.5 x 13 cm. Order a Copy
Laying around, regiment ordered from Newport News to Richmond, problems with fleas. Discusses rations from Uncle Sam and NC peddlers: "that come from main land in boats. There is sometimes as many as ten or a dozen here in a day and some of them come forty or fifty miles and get here before noon. They wouldnt trade much though if they traded only for cash but they will trade for old clothes, shoes, grease, packing salt out of the bottoms of meat barrels or any thing to eat or wear. But we have to pay sesession prices for every thing a dollar a bushel for potatoes, a dollar and a half for apples[,] three dollars for pears, and twenty cents a dozen for eggs." Other prices also. The letter is continued on July 31 and August 1.
With additional half-sheet containing postscript: "The last woman soldier of this regt started for home today. It is Mrs Monroe her husband belongs in Co F. She is quite a smart, respectable woman. She and her husband were nurses in the hospital but for the last three or four weeks she has been sick with fever. H. P. Wilson the husband of one of our women deserted yesterday. It seems to be a bad thing for soldiers to fetch their wives to war since both of our company that done so have deserted."
Tillotson was thirty-one years old when he enlisted as a corporal on November 5, 1861. He mustered in H company of the NY 89th infantry or Dickinson Guards and later promoted to Sergeant. He was discharged on December 18, 1864.
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