Arthur Stone
34 Massachusetts Infantry
“Yesterday…oh, no—it was the day before, Sunday, we had quite a little excitement by the report that the Rebels were within six miles of here. That is near Mount Vernon….” Arthur Stone, Virginia 1862
Fort Lyon, December 30, 1862
My Dear Mother
I have been writing all day on the pay rolls, but I thought all day of one thing that I wanted to have sent out in the box and thought I would write a few lines to night. The other letter which I wrote just after I received your letter, I did not get into the mail until Sunday because I was so buys that I forgot about it. What I wanted was to have you send out that pair of boot taps of mine which Mr. Bush gave me in case my boots need taping, although they have not worn through yet—and my toothbrush, I should like, and something for a watch cord as mine is worn so that it will hardly hold together.
Yesterday…oh, no—it was the day before, Sunday, we had quite a little excitement by the report that the Rebels were within six miles of here. That is near Mount Vernon. We were all called out and some more cartridges given us and two companies sent out on picket–and we had a guard all night up and down in front of every company’s tents. The papers said today that they came up near Mount Vernon or in that vicinity and took what they could and went back—that it was about 1,000 Cavalry. Our regiment is all at work on those new forts. They all went up yesterday, every officer and man in the regiment. The Colonel made a short speech to them before they started and said that he wanted the eleventh beat (?)—everybody else in shoveling as well as drilling and that they got those forts to finish for a stent and the sooner it were done, the better.
The bank played them up there and went up at dinnertime and played them back again and now the drums and fifes up and down at mealtime & c. Tomorrow we have our monthly inspection and the roll is called for pay. Before the rolls are sent in to Washington, I hope these pay rolls will do more good then those did for the last two months. Well now, I don’t know what to write for there don’t seem to be anything at all to write about.
How did Harry’s ring fit him and how did he like it? I presume I shall hear though tomorrow, for I shall expect one from you tomorrow. We had another review and inspection last Sunday. We all had to draw a new pair of pants and a cap a piece to come on reviews and inspections with and we keep them to dress up in, to go to meeting with & c. They are bound to have us both as look as well as possible. But I am afraid that I shall have to close for this time and write when I get a letter from you and if anything more comes into my mind to write, I will do it in the morning. My love to Harry…
Your loving son, Arthur M. Stone.
I should like some yellow envelopes and a little paper sent out with the rest of the things.
The Stone Collection: Bio | 30 Dec. 1862 | 20 Feb. 1863 | 13 May 1863