Henry to sister Hannah Van Vlack and brother-in-law Darwin Chandler

Henry to sister Hannah Van Vlack and brother-in-law Darwin Chandler

Sunday Evening
Oct. 6, 1861

Chandler & Hannah

I will make a few marks for you to look at. I shall not have time to write a full letter to you for I start for Elmira tomorrow at 3 P.M. for the Regiment will soon start from that place to the seat of war either inWashington or under General FREMONT in the west. I care not where we go if it is only in defense of our country.

Stephen is before me now, he says he wants to go & so does George, but George is not very fast to go. Stephen, I think will go yet. I can’t say go or stay but hemust act his own pleasure and so must George. Mother feels bad but she feels that the country demands the sacrifice, and so she ought to think.

I should like to see you all and would have come out West if it was not for the War.

You shall hear from me soon again
Your Brother Henry