Sprague Civil War Letters

C. E. Sprague - October 13, 1862
Image

This image contains the first page (right side) and the final page (left side) of a letter written during the American Civil War.

Letter Transcription

[Right Side – Page 1]

Suffolk Va Oct 13 1862

Dear Brother

The reason why i have not wrote you before is because the folks wrote that you was working at home and i thought the same letter would answer for all but i suppose you want a letter as well as the rest. Elisabeth wrote me that you had gone to Cambridge so i suppose you will hear from me there as i wrote to Mary Ann last week. This makes the tenth letter i have wrote since i came here i have received but three but i think they will come along after a while. I am feeling a great deal better than i was a week ago i am getting used to the climate i have gained

[Left Side – Final Page]

from what i thought it was the soil ^is about three inches deep about half clay and half loom below that is red and blue clay so hard that you cant drive a pick into it more than an inch. I should like some of your cider that you are probaly making, a man might make his fortune by bringing a car load of cider and Apples out here they would bring any price you might ask for them Whatever you buy out here you have to pay for the sutler charges 25 cts a lb for cheese 45 cts for Butter 1.25 cts per gall for molasses and other things in proportion but i dont patronise him much. We have lost two men out of the Regt since we came here one belonged to our company his name was Woodward he belonged in Boxboro he died with the Typhoid Fever and was sent home you must write when you receive this I must close now to go on guard duty so good by C. E. Sprague

Key Details from the Text

  • Date and Location: October 13, 1862, in Suffolk, Virginia.
  • Sender: C. E. Sprague.
  • Recipient: His brother, who was reportedly working in Cambridge at the time.
  • The “Sutler”: The writer notes the high prices charged by the camp merchant (sutler), such as molasses for $1.25 per gallon.
  • Casualties: He mentions a soldier named Woodward from Boxboro (Boxborough, MA) who died of Typhoid Fever.