Tillotson, George W. (fl. 1830-1918) To his wife
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04558.118 Author/Creator: Tillotson, George W. (fl. 1830-1918) Place Written: Folly Island, South Carolina Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 11 October 1863 Pagination: 4 p. ; 21 x 13.5 cm. Order a Copy
Notes that it is his tenth wedding anniversary and writes that the thought of her distance and the time remaining cause "a choaking sensation" and tears. Says that he is the only man in Co. H with a family. Mentions slow siege of Charleston, health, selling his whiskey ration; recruiting officer sent away by commanding officer.
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.
Folly Island, Sunday Oct 11th 1863
My Dear Wife,
I cant think of much news to write, still as it is Sunday, and we have got in off of picket, and got our breakfast cooked and eat, and also cleaned up our traps and had inspection, and not haveing written since a week ago today, & more particularly as it is the tenth aniversary of our weding, I could not resist the impulse to pen a communication, since it is not possible to hold a closer communion in person. Nor, can I help contrasting the experiences of today, and ten years ago, although in one respect they are similar. The old love is experienced the same, or in a stronger degree, and is more holy from the addition of other loves growing out of it. But when I [2] consider the distance [inserted: in] space, and time that I am, and am to be separated from the object of that Love, I cant help, dear wife, from feeling a melancholly which causes a choaking sensation, and a moistening of the eye. Could I but annihilate time, & space, I would soon be with you. I am now the only man in Co H that has a family (that they take any interest in at least,) although four others has (or had) families One, Ludwig, has a family liveing at Port [Cran] but doesnt provide for them or even know much about them of late. Another, Crow, has not lived with his wife for years Two others, Edson, & Flint their wives have proved false to them (as well a they to their wives) Edson's haveing married another fellow, and Flints according to his story turned common prostitute.
[3] The siege of Charleston is progressing very slow. There is considerable heavy fireing kept up from both sides, but without much effect. Our men have been busey for a while past building bomb proofs on Long island and will probably soon plant guns there One night this last week the rebs undertook a pretty bold exploit which was no less than to destroy the new Ironsides, by sending down in the dark an expedition to blow her up with "torpedoes," but they disastrously failed. My health now is getting to be tolerable good, but I some times have the rheumatis pretty bad by laying out on the ground so much nights. Since we began to go out on picket so much we have drawn whiskey rations, that is every man that is out on duty through the night gets a ration of whiskey in the morning. [4] I draw mine but dont drink any but sell it for ten or fifteen cents a ration. So you see I am temperate I expect that after about the first of next month our regiment will grow "beautifully less," fast, as then they will have a chance to enl[inserted: i]ist into regular cavalry. For some time past there has been a recruiting officer here who had a special permit to enlist cavalry out of the old three years regiments provided all parties were willing and lots of the boys would have enlisted but the old Colonel said no I received the Tribune of the 26th Ult about the middle of this last week Am expecting a letter next mail shure. It is pretty cool weather here now especially nights, had a frost about the 18th or 20th Ult. Give my love to all enquireing friends. Kiss the children for me and immagine a few enclosed for yourself from
Your loveing and True Husband
Geo W Tillotson
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