We were asked to write a letter to our soldier stationed at Camp Reynolds on Angel Island. Instructions stated to write it in the tone of the times, 1864. It took me over half an hour to carefully hand write the following, making sure that every cursive letter was drawn correctly. If you’ve ever seen my writing, you’d know that this was an artistic feat, not just a letter. My sissies would be so proud of me!
My private said to me, “But I can’t read cursive!” So I had to read it to him, by oil lamp. HA! What is this world coming to?
1863
Dearest Johnny Lee,
It has been a great while since you endeavored to enlist to defend our Country’s cause in this great and terrible war. Yet word has reached us that the rigors of your training and your duty at Camp Reynolds do scarcely compare to the comforts you left behind. Your patriotism and commitment to service for our great Country are a source of pride yet the accounts of the difficulties of a soldier’s life are no comfort to us.
Little Joe is sprouting up taller than the weeds and I fear you will not recognize him upon your return. He is most anxious to be regaled by a detailed account of each and every one of your adventures. He misses you terribly and often asks for us to provide him with another sibling to keep him company while you are away.
Please do write at your earliest convenience, we are eager to hear that you remain in vigorous spirits and long see you safely returned.
As always we remain yours lovingly,
Mother, Father and Little Joe
His next writing assessment test will be to write a letter using colonial period language. I am quite sure he won’t do it in cursive!
