Letter from the Austin family accompanied by a tentatively identified CDV
Letter from the Austin family accompanied by a tentatively identified carte de visite (CDV) of Zadok B. Austin, who served in the 10th New York Heavy Artillery. The CDV, bearing the imprint of Hovey & Hartman, is traditionally believed to depict Austin; however, it lacks a period inscription, and no confirmed wartime photographs are known for comparison, rendering the identification unverified.
Transcript:
"Rossie St Lawrence Co NY
September 18th 1863
Dear son,
I imbrace this opportunity of writing a few lines to let you know that I am well I received from you last satterday, and one from Benjamin last wednesday he was well and was going to his regt he sayed for me not to write to him until he wrote to me again for he did not know where to have me direct to him until he got to his regt and got settled it has been so dry here this summer that my corn has come out small I have got it husked and have about two bushels and shall have about the same of buckwheat I dont know what I am a going to do for I am in debt and being disappointed of the money that I expected from Calvin last spring it leaves me in a hard spot this fall and I get no answer concerning William back pay yet and I don't know as I ever shall if I could get a chance to sell my lot I would do it I have got my leach full of ashes it rains to day it is the best rain we have had in six weeks I intend to go to Rossie if it stops raining to day the children are well and send there love to you I can not think of any thing to write for my mind is confused
David gones is enlisted he went to Redwood and got drunk and listed while he was drunk so we have got one copperhead less here I wish they would all get drunk and list and then would be put in the front of the battle this from your father & hope these lines will find you well
C G Austin
to B B Austin
Rossie St Lawrence Co NY
September 19th 1863
Good evening Zadocki what are you to night out in the starch or in your tent a resting well I hope at my rate well Zadock it is very warm here to night I have ben a shoemaking all day to day I finished one shoe and got the other most done now I am a going to tell you what I made them out of I took a old pare of boots so I have a new pare of shoes out of a old pare of boots I should have finished them to night but your father is a going to Rossie to morrow so I thought I would write to you to let you know a litter about house your father and april has been a threshing
The buckwheat to day he is so tired so he has gone to bed the children has gone to bed to so I am left alone with my paper and pen the children are all well and send their love to you Susanna and Plassila was out to your uncle Joel this week they ware all well your aunt Sarahs family are all well Plassila was out to your aunt Janes last week her family were well well I cant think of any thing more to write so I shall have to bid you good night these few lines leaves me well I hope that they find you well so a nother good night this from your Mother
Damelia A Austin
to her son Zadock B Austin"