CIVIL WAR LETTER - 11th Ohio Infantry, ENFIELD RIFLES, West Virginia Cavalry Etc

Description

CIVIL WAR LETTER
Civil War Letter by Soldier in Co. I, 11th Ohio Infantry
This Civil War soldier letter was written by Corp. David Wheldon Maurice (1838-1900) who enlisted in Co. I, 11th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI) in August 1862. He later rose in rank to First Sergeant, then 2nd Lieutenant of Co. E, and finally to Captain of same company/regiment. David was the son of Isaac Wyke Maurice (1802-1873) and his first wife, Eliza Wheldon (1799-1842) of Springfield, Clark county, Ohio.
David frequently refers to his older brother, Isaac “Wyke” Maurice (1836-1876) who served in the same company. He wrote the letter to his cousin, Joseph Wheldon.
A post-war image of David W. Maurice
Transcription
Addressed to Mr. Joseph Wheldon, Springfield, Ohio
Summerville, Virginia
December 29th 1862
Dear Joe,
Your long looked for letter came to hand on Saturday. We was glad to hear from you but it did to contain any stamps which would have been very acceptable at this time. We are nearly out of stamps and paper but the sutler has got a new stock of goods and I expect he has got some good paper now.
Tuesday, December 30th. Now I set me down to finish this letter as I could not get it done last night. We are not allowed to have light burning after 8 o’clock at night. The big drum beats three loud taps which is called “Taps.” All lights must be put out at that time—that was the time I stopped writing last night.
The mail just brought two papers directed by your hand. Last Thursday brought two from Woodside. Those are the first we have received. I suppose you sent some before that. If you did, we didn’t get them. No matter. Your head is alright anyway.
In one of my letters to you, I sent for some money. I have not received any yet. I merely wanted 50 or 75 cents at a time—just enough to get paper and envelopes or any little thing like that. If you have not sent any, you need not for we expect. to get paid off before the 20th of next month. Postage stamps will be accepted at any time but not more than 20 cents worth at a time. We make the stamps get when we start. We can’t get them here for ten cents apiece. Old Jery sent us a lot or we would have been out before this. We would send you letters and make you pay when you got them out of the office. [but] I know that makes you mad—it would me anyway.
Wyke has borrowed a fife from the drum major. He sits down at night and blows till his eyes stick out so you could snare them with a grapevine. He plays “Join Lad.” The Tomcats don’t stay about here any longer. There was one around before Wyke got his fife but it has disappeared altogether.
You can’t speak of getting you an Enfield Rifle. You are took in about the rifle. The Enfield is not half as good as a common rifle. They are clumsy, ugly things. Won’t shoot near as straight as a common one. I could have got any quantity of them from the Second Virginia Cavalry. I could have got one for five or six dollars or if I had been at the camp where the prisoners were took, could have got shotguns, carbines, Mississippi Rifles, Enfields, Pistols, and any kind of arms you could think of. If the regiment had went to the camp, they could have brought a great many things but they did not go there. The cavalry burned most all the guns and things, If I had been there, I would have [ ] to a good shotgun that would be worth two Enfield rifles. The Mississippi Rifles are more thought of than the Enfield but they are heavier than the Enfield. They can be bought for 8 or 10 dollars.
In regard to sending a box to us, there is no possible chance of getting anything larger than a package that can be carried by mail and then it it doubtful whether we get it or not. We are 60 miles from the boat lading and very bad roads.
You asked me in your letter if I got all the stamps you sent. I got six, Wyke got 8 in one from Aunt with a few lines from you, and he got six from Mary and two 25 cts. stamps. That is all we have got. The mail has been very uncertain. I is a little more regular now but it is like all other overland routes on horseback—very slow and uncertain. We are both very well. Have lots of drilling now. Some of the boys are getting furloughs. Five started for Dayton this morning out of our company.
Yours forever, — D. W. Maurice
Summerville, December 30th
Dear Sophy, your letter was read with pleasure. I should like to send you longer letter than this but I have not time to write it and get it in this mail do I thought it would be right to acknowledge that I appreciated your letter by sending a little this time and more the next. Love to all. I remain your cousin, — Dave
TERMS
.00 postage in the United States.  We accept Paypal.
Postage combined for multiple purchases.  Please wait for me to send the invoice, otherwise you will pay a higher rate.
For International buyers, we utilize eBay’s Global Shipping Program.  We had too many packages sent via the post office go missing.  So we believe this program will be safer for us and for you.
We are members of the American Philatelic Society, the U.S. Philatelic Classics Society, the Confederate Stamp Alliance and the Illinois Postal History Society.
We only sell genuine, original letters (no copies or reproductions).  Some of our letters have been transcribed and nicely presented for future genealogists and history buffs on the Spared & Shared blog.
We have been selling on eBay since 1998.   BID WITH CONFIDENCE !