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My Life is Like the Summer Rose and Heavily Falls the Rain

One is a soldier's poem, the other is a metaphor for the loss of life in the war perhaps...?

GLC06588.232

to Libbie Elmore

No year. He gives instructions for how he wants his boots made. He wants them made with calveskin and double-soled. He tells her to do what she wants with the pig.

GLC06588.233

to Libbie Elmore

They have been given marching orders and there are no mor furloughs to be granted. He says she should come and see him before he leaves but do not bring the children.

GLC06588.234

to Libbie Elmore

He describes his journey so far. There was marching in the rain and staying in a hotel where he only got bread and cheese for dinner. Theyw ere ordered not to buy anything to eat or drink, but he got a mince pie anyway.

GLC06588.235

to Libbie Elmore

He writes that there has been considerable skirmishing. He asks her to write soon and tell all the particulars of her days.

GLC06588.236

to Libbie Elmore

They are now in Virginia. Their tents are not completely organized yet. They are now on one of Burnside's boats. They passed through Baltimore and Virginia.

GLC06588.237

to Libbie Elmore

They have spent most of their time on picket duty but there has been very little drilling. Willard is not very well. Written at Upton Hill

GLC06588.239

to Bruce Elmore

Aunt Sarah is very ill and not expected to live. Libbie has had a toothache. She feels bad that she lives in comfort while he is exposed to danger and suffering.

GLC06588.240

to Partner

The letting is engraved with a picture with the title "Storming a Battery." He writes this is nothing but a picture, in reality it is not that bad. The men are against Col. Dewitt and in favor of Holly. During a bad storm, he and Willard took...

GLC06588.241

to Libbie Elmore

He describes Piquet or Grand Guard duty to Libbie. He is sorry to hear about her toothache and Sarah's sickness. He says officer French is not as disagreeable as he once was ever since he was superseded by Lt. Col. Boughton. Written at Upton Hill

GLC06588.242

to Libbie Elmore

Rumor has it they will eeither be going to Fredricksburg or Washington next. Nine of their regiment are currently in the hospital.

GLC06588.251

to Libbie Elmore

They have heard considerable fighting in the direction of Fredricksburg. Nineteen of their company are in the hospital at Washington.

GLC06588.277

to Libbie Elmore

He says all the boys enjoy piquet duty. He describes the food they've had lately. A woman passed by inquiring about Pennsylvania cavalry but she appeared to have some kind of hidden agenda. They took her to headquarters as a prisoner. She wore a belt...

GLC06588.243

to Libbie Elmore

Lt. Clark is doing better but French is no officer at all. There was talk of them going to Texas but all that has blown over. He talks about the pros and cons of selling the pork.

GLC06588.244

to Bruce Elmore

She heard that a large majority of their state has gone secession. She is afraid this will prolong the war but hopefully the Republicans will end it soon. Some sheep that he and his father owned died suddenly without explanation.

GLC06588.245

to Libbie Elmore

They have been camping in the snow. He describes how they built their own fireplace in the ground.

GLC06588.246

to Bruce Elmore

She notes that they are often writing to each other at the same moment and thinking of each other at the same time. She describes the children and what they've been up to. She made apple cider recently.

GLC06588.247

to Libbie Elmore

He liked the penmanship example from Eddie. He recommends keeping the sheep salted to prevent them from getting poisoned. They have been having great weather.

GLC06588.248

to Bruce Elmore

She heard that he has been given marching orders to leave Upton Hill. She dreamt about him and Willard the other night. The hog is up for sale.

GLC06588.249

to Libbie Elmore

He describes the "spicy time" that occurred on picket duty the night before. A shot was fired at the next post over and the sentry fired at the culprit. They stopped the intruder after the Rebels hit one of their corporals in the foot. He assures...

GLC06588.250

to Bruce Elmore

Letter from his father and Libbie. Father writes he is glad bruce keep his courage and unwavering faith. Libbie writes that they are all well and live in comfort. He should not worry about her being too saving like the neighbors, for example.

GLC06588.252

to Libbie Elmore

They have marching orders and three days' rations. He thinks her selling the pork will probably make but little difference.

GLC06588.253

to Bruce Elmore

She talks about various animals on the farm like the oxen, the pig and the calves. She wishes she could send another care package.

GLC06588.254

to Bruce Elmore

He gives all the news about mutual friends and acquaintances. He says they have a lot of parties aroud there. Their father recently traded a steed for a mare.

GLC06588.255

to Libbie Elmore

He reports on the health of the regiment. Leroy has rheumatism really bad. Meanwhile the regiment is improving in drills.

GLC06588.256

to Libbie Elmore

Even though they've had marching orders they have not yet moved. They have been busy fortifying their tents. They even bought a little stove. They are quite comfortable.

GLC06588.257

to Libbie Elmore

He writes that he can't wait to see Libbie and writing is his only way of visiting her. He received a letter from his cousin and grandmother.

GLC06588.258

to Libbie Elmore

They occupy a very pleasant post currently and it is a soldier's dream. THeir folks are planning to send Willard something in the mail. He requests butter, mince pies and cake.

GLC06588.259

to Libbie Elmore

He acknowledges that her folks would like to have a picture of him. He will send one along when he gets his next pay.

GLC06588.260

to Libbie Elmore

They are still in Upton Hall. He believes she has done well with the pork this years. He tells a funny story of how some of the boys stole a hog and they roasted it in camp that night.

GLC06588.261

to Libbie Elmore

Most of the company has gone on picket today. They have had very cold weather lately. W. Smith, an acquaintance of his father is in the captain's tent.

GLC06588.262

to Libbie Elmore

Tomorrow they will go on picket again. He hopes she is getting along well. It has been very cold, but the ground is not frozen yet.

GLC06588.263

to Libbie Elmore

He thanks her for all the tasty food that has come in the mail and offers a kiss as payment. He and Willard are very well and he weighs more than he ever has before.

GLC06588.264

to Libbie Elmore

He worries that there is a lot of sickness going around and he wants his family to stay well. Moses Schoonmaker is weak and does not drill much. The Major is one of the meanest officers around. They hear that secretary Seward resigned as well as the...

GLC06588.265

to Libbie Elmore

Charles Smith came to visit a few days ago. He thanks Libbie for letting Carrie write to him although he thinks any response from will be very eloquent. He is doing very well. Burnside is currently fighting a terrible battle.

GLC06588.266

to Libbie Elmore

They thinks Vixburgh is theirs though they have received no official news. He asks after old Kniffin and wonders if he trying to cheat Libbie every chance he can get.

GLC06588.267

to Libbie Elmore

This letter includes a very poetic description of the wounded soldier. '"The poor wounded soldier as he lays waiting for death to end his sufferings or mortal aid..."

GLC06588.268

to Bruce Elmore

She tells him to worry about not having enough money for taxes and that she will send some money in the mail. Hettie has been staying with her the past few days.

GLC06588.269

to Bruce Elmore

David is sick with the sore throat. She saw a pedler she knows last night. She tells of an incident with the infamous Kniffin.

GLC06588.270

to Bruce Elmore

Last page is bigger. Once again she asks if Bruce can get a furlough. Eliza Ingersoll came by. Her son has the sore throat and she has a headache. Libbie sold some oats. One page of the letter appears to be written in a different hand but the author...

GLC06588.271

to Libbie Elmore

He reports on the health of his comrades. Unfortunately, he will be unable to get the photographs she requested. There has been no fighting lately but tomorrow they go on picket again.

GLC06588.272

to Bruce Elmore

Mr Reynolds came to visit and he talked about Nelson who is sick and in the hospital. She tells a story of how the doctor had his wagon nearby and a couple of boys painted the horse and put axle grease on the seat.

GLC06588.273

to Libbie Elmore

Everyone was disappointed by Burnside's loss at Fredricksburg but are now cheering up. They are are staying in very comfortable quarters currently. One of their duties besdies picket is cutting wood for the regiment.

GLC06588.274

to Libbie Elmore

Pages missing. Bruce says he actually enjoys camp life but misses his family. Willard has been quite sick with dysentery. Reinforcement has been going by them in quite large numbers.

GLC06588.275

to Libbie Elmore

He uses very poetic language to describe how he wishes they could be together, especially for Christmas. Though he says he likes the life of a soldier. Nelson is in a hospital in Philadelphia.

GLC06588.276

to Libbie Elmore

Partial letter. He asks her to be punctual in her writing. He does not belive the war can last three years. That is impossible he says.

GLC06588.278

to Libbie Elmore

They received orders to pack their knapsacks and three days rations and march. They were going on picket when they heard there was a raid of 1500 Rebel cavalry somewhere in the vicinity. He describes their strategy. Then they were ordered to march...

GLC06588.279

to Libbie Elmore

Pages missing. He writes that someone's death was reported but this statement has been contradicted.

GLC06588.280

to Bruce Elmore

She writes of how she spent her New Year at her parents'. She only wishes he could have been there and wishes for peace on any terms. Last page is blue and square. She talks of the children and how they miss their father.

GLC06588.281

to Libbie Elmore

Willard has joined the ambulance corps. They had their first death in the regiment Wednesday night. He was buried by moonlight. Bruce read a letter of a friend's wife aloud to to him. It mentioned the snow.

GLC06588.282