Osborn Ayer - Civil War Correspondence

[imprinted, illustration of sternwheeler: Buckeye State Patriots "MOTTO" We live for the Union We die for the Union. We will uphold the Union.]

[Illustration of CINCINNATI]

Charles Magnus, 12 Frankfort St. N. Y.

Vienna Virginia N^ov 9^th

Dear Brother

I had the pleasure last evening of receiving your welcome but brief letter from Dannemora, New York I am glad you have secured a place there and hope you will keep it for I think you will do better there than anywhere else for the present I am in very good health at present but have been quite unwell since last writing We are yet here in Va [Virginia] doing the same duty as before; however there is some remote probibility [probability] of our being transfered [transferred] to Bakers [Baker's] Rangers and if so we shal [shall] likely winter in Washington and if not this will be

head quarters for the winter months unless we are diven [driven] out which is not verry [very] likely to occur at present Our Col has been home to Boston and got his better half attached to him in legal form he arrived in camp last evening and our Reg Band turned out and serenaded him and met with a rebuff from his Magesty [Majesty] who closed his window shutters and ordered them to their quarters (an appreciative Cuss him so the Boys say) I cannot write you much news from here save what you have already got by papers but I am glad the news are all good now and I hope by spring the Rebellion will be at an end and we once more sit at liberty for I am continualy [continually] chafing under the severe restrictions of soldiers life. I am satisfied it was never made for me nor I made for it but I am willing to do my part towards the

suppression of the rebellion. I only wish our Reg [regiment] would be ordered to the part that we might be able to do more I am sick of hunting bushwhackers here it is a thankless task and we have had enough of it this summer I begin to despair of getting a furlow [furlough] this winter our officers only seek their own advancement without regard to what they may have promised, They keep no faith beyond selfish ends When they wish anything done their promises are mighty but when done, their performances are nothing I wish you would write more local news when you write I do not wish to complain but your letters are rather dry of any local news and I would think you might find time there for a longer letter than your last I would like to hear a word from all who were acquaintances of mine and could you not sometime send me a local paper with some of the news

The 16^th N. Y. Cav [Cavalry] are encamped on our left the 13^th on our right we occupy the center on the right of the rail road depot at this place I came accross [across ] Charles Farmsworth 2^nd Lieu [Lieutenant] of a Co in the 16^th also A. Ladoo Quarter Master of the same I was glad to meet them and talk over old times Charles did not recognize me but I knew him, we went on picket and I had quite a talk with him before I let him know who I was He wishes me to remember to him all of you there I must close for I have nothing of importance to write our duty is mostly picket now and therefore void of news of importance With my best wishes for your health hapiness [happiness] and prosperity I remain as ever Your

Brother Osborn Ayer

Vienna Virginia Dec 3^rd

Friends at Home

I take this earley [early] opportunity of letting you know I am here in safety I arrived here yesterday having reached Washington earley [early] in the morning but missing the train coming to this place and taking the wrong one I had to walk ten miles which was anything but pleasant But here I am again in uncle Sams [Sam's] service once more The Boys were all glad to welcome me back and I was farely carried off bodily by their enthusiasm in imitation of hotell [hotel] runners, one grasped my carpet sack whilst I was nearly torn into four quarters by runners for various houses of high sound cognomens as Astor House St Nicholas Rusk Hous [House] &c [etc.]