Henry to sister Elizabeth Van Vlack

Henry to sister Elizabeth Van Vlack

VersaillesOct. 5, 1861

Dear Sister and Brother;

It has been some time since we have heard from you or from Chandler’s. I have not written a letter in four months to any person, not even a scratch of a pen has been made by me in a long time, then you will not feel that you only are slighted. I will now however make amends for all this and try in the future to be more prompt in writing to my friends.

We are all well at home and enjoying life as well as could be expected under the presure of the times. Mother’s health is not good but she is better now than she has been. She has a hired girl (Ada Macham) is helping her now and she has less to do. Janes (Jane - sister) health is good and she is a large girl now. Father enjoys good health and the boys. George is complaining, he had a tooth extracted and caught cold in his face and is pretty cross this morning. Stephen’s (brother) health is improving and he is now at work at Uncle Wiley’s, he is not at home much of the time his home (where his family lives in Versailles) has but few pleasures for him, he has the meanist woman for a wife that this country affords. You may think that this is saying a good-deal yet it is true and needs no vouchers. The very demon himself has taken posession of her and no saint could bear to live with her. There are many things that I could speak of pertaining to her conduct towards Stephen. She is unworth of such a husband and the respect of her friends. I have exhausted this subject before today and have no more to say with regards to her.

I have Enlisted in the 64th Regiment of N.Y.S. Militia under the command of colonel Thomas J. Parker of Gowanda. I shall either go in Co. A of the Regt. Or in the Brass Band attached to the same. There are many that I am well acquainted with in the Regt. and if I go in Co. A I am certain of a position out of the ranks. Lewis SHELDON, Charles ____, James PELLOTT and others belong to the company from this vicinity.

Stephen has just come home from Wiley’s and he thinks some of enlisting. I am in for the War and I shall go with a fine purpose to act well my part and run a risk of the chances and fortunes of war. The cause is a just one and worthy of the sacrafice. May I prove worthy of the cause, I feel it my duty to support my country in the hour of peril. How can I feel otherwise. Those boasted libertie which our country has extended to us these many years of her prosperity quitude are now assailed by Traitors who seek to destroy the best government that was ever instituted, the same government that has fostered them in her Bosom ever ready to throw around them her strong arms of protection, they now seek to destroy. God forgive them. I cannot, for their cause is without hope.

I suppose I___ (Izell – dau. of Elizabeth and Romine) is a large girl now and goes to school and helps her mother work and little Elda (Ella – dau. of Elizabeth and Romine) O how I should like to see your children and you, perhaps for the last time yet I trust not. I hope to see you all again.

P.S. our folks all send their love to you and the children, Stephen sends his. You shall hear from me again, tell them good night. Henry Van Vlack

I start for Elmira Monday the 7th of October. When have you heard from John (brother). Write and let us know. If you should write to me in the course of two weeks, direct to Elmira N. York Barracks no. 3, care of Captain WASHBURN Co. A 64th Regt. I don’t know when we shall leave Elmira but I think in the course of two weeks.

Good nightYour Brother Henry