Letter written by Rush P. Cady, lieutenant in the 97th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Company K, to his mother of Rome, New York, from Headquarters 97th N.Y.V. near Brooks' Station, Virginia, November 28, 1862
Primary tabs
Headquarters 97th N.Y.V. (97th Regiment, New York)
near Brooks' Station, Va. (Virginia) (Brooks' Station, Virginia) Nov. 28, '62. Dear Mother (Cady, Daniel (Mrs., Fidelia W. Palmer)) ,
Your good letter, written last Sunday,
was received this morning. I cannot express the satis-
faction & pleasure which was afforded Gustavus (Palmer, Gustavus M. (Captain)) & me,
by the reading of your letter & Grandmothers. It is not
so much the news contained therein, of what has trans-
pired, as the vividness with which the old familiar
faces of dear friends, & the scenes of home are
brought to mind, & their being full of “kind, af-
fectionate interest & encouragement, “that constitutes
their chief interest & value.
You spoke of Thanksgiving Day, & of the great changes that
have taken place. I could but revolve in my mind
the pleasant memories of former Thanksgivings, when
our loved circle was unbroken, & with glad & grate-
ful hearts, we participated in the time honored
customs & privileges of the day, including the gen-
erous dinner. We little anticipated, then, what impor-
tant & sad changes, the future had in store, & which have
since been brought about.- How natural, for us to feel a
tenderness about the heart, & a yearning desire to experience
[Written in margin:]
topped, legs reach-
ing to the knees
& large enough
in the legs so
as not to pinch
the calf. Let
them be 8s,
with thick in-
soles, which can
be taken out,
so that no shrink-
ing in wet weather
will make them
too small. I
want an extra
good
pair,
made
to stand
mud & march-
ing.- Have
the boots made
immediately.
I will write soon
& let you
know
who else
may be
wanting.
Love to all,
Your Son
Rush (Cady, Rush Palmer)
again the warm sympathies & fond relations of a Father
Mother, brothers & sisters, & the thousand & one endearments
of home. Hasten the time, when, better than ever
prepared by separation, & the experience of some hardship
& discomfort, to appreciate the blessings of home, & the fam-
ily associations, we may all be once more united; & more
studious than ever, for the promotion of each others well-be-
ing & happiness. It doesn't seem as if you
were 40 years old; but so it is. Indeed time does speed rap-
idly away. May Heaven bless you, dear Mother, in your remain-
ing years, whether many or few, & may they be fraught with
abundant happiness, & comfort & peace. May all your children
ever honor & obey you, & prove themselves worthy of such
a Mother.- And I am almost 21. Well, I certainly
feel as old as that; indeed, for a long time, it has seemed
as if I was older than my years, in feeling, as well as in
appearance. Of course, like all other young men, I have
looked forward to the time when I should become “of age”,
as an important era, of my life; but I am sure that my
reliance upon parental authority & advice, will not suf-
fer any diminution whatever. I do not wish to feel
that I am under any less obligations than heretofore to re-
spect the wishes & counsel of my parents; nor do I wish to
assume any extra independence, except so far as sup-
porting myself by my own efforts, are concerned; &
ceasing to be a burden & expense to Father. Yesterday
I also rec'd a letter from Eliza (Cady, Eliza) , the first in some time.
I had written three to her, since receiving one in reply.
The citizen also came to hand, as well as Harpers Weekly
Frank
Leslie (Leslie, Frank) , & N.Y. Ledger,- the first installment of papers
from Mr.
Abbott (Abbott (Mr.)) .- And for a few days, we have been
able to obtain N.Y. (New York) (New York, New York)
& Philada. (Philadelphia) (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Papers, which is a great
satisfaction. Last Friday, I sent you a long letter, written
at Rappahannock Station (Rappahannock Station, Virginia)
, & from near Stafford Court House (Stafford, Virginia)
.
Gustavus (Palmer, Gustavus M. (Captain)) wrote on Saturday, so that it only remains
for me now to inform you of what has transpired
the present week.- On Sat. night, we rec'd orders to be
ready to march at 8 o'c. A.M. on Sunday. We broke camp
in good season, & at the appt'd hour, took up the line
of march, with the rest of the Brigade. Our whole Division
moved at the same time. It was a pleasant day, though
quite cool & very windy, especially towards
night.
The marching was very good indeed, as the
mud was pretty much dried up. We marched about
8 or 9 miles, in coming a distance of 6, as we went out
of our road a mile or two, by mistake.- We are en-
camped within a short distance of the R.R. (Aquia Creek (Aquia Creek, Stafford County, Virginia)
&
Fredericksburg (Fredericksburg, Virginia)
.) The cars commenced running a
day or two after we came; & now, I believe they have
all the bridges built & the road in complete running
Nov-28
order, clear to Fredericksburg (Fredericksburg, Virginia) .- We did not expect to re-
main here as long as we have. Why Fred (Fredericksburg) (Fredericksburg, Virginia) — has not been
bombarded & taken, & our Army crossed the Rappahannock (Rappahannock River) ,
& on the way to Richmond (Richmond, Virginia) , I can only account
for, from the fact, that the R.R. by which supplies are to be
forwarded, has not been repaired until now. The com-
ing month is doubtless pregnant with great & stirring
events, which may perhaps decide the destiny of the
nation. May our generals & our armies prove fully e-
qual to the gigantic achievements which they are expect-
ed to accomplish.- Since leaving the Rappahannock (Rappahanock River) , we have come
through the poorest Section of country. I have seen in Va. (Virginia) (Virginia) The land
is apparently sterile & worthless, & the people, poor, ignorant, shiftless
& destitute.- Capt. Roberts (Roberts (Captain)) , with whom Col. Wheelock (Wheelock, Charles (Colonel)) arranged
to bring a Co. into the Reg., arrived on Wed. with 28 men, including
4 drummers & fifers. He was expected to bring from 80 to 100
men.- He says he has mustered in 60, but a good many de-
serted, after receiving clothes & bounty. He left a 1st Lieut.
at Utica (Utica, New York) , I believe, who is expected to bring 12 or 15 more men
They will hardly get commissions, both of them. If they should,
it would justly cause dissatisfaction to those in the Reg. who have
earned, &, deserve promotion. The officers have, since coming
here, built chimnies & fireplaces of sod, by which means
our tents are comfortably warmed. Yesterday we were re-
viewed by Gen. Gibbons (Gibbon, John (General)) , our Division Gen.- We have not yet
been paid off, though we have heard that the pay muster will soon
be here. We have had to borrow some money, to get along.
Let Father send us $10, & if we need it, we can send for
more.- A man who washed for me, lost two of my shirts,
one a blue flannel shirt, so that I shall need another.
Please send one by Maj. Northup (Northrup, Charles (Major)) , also 2 prs woolen socks, & my
fur gloves.- Let Father have a pair of boots made for me, at
Mr. Mayer (Mayer (Mr.)) s. Let them be heavy kip, double soled, & high
[Written in margin:]
I prefer to keep my school & coll. text books or at any rate to dispose of them when I return.
They will be just as salable. I have just written to Eliza (Cady, Eliza) (Sat. Eve)
Part: of 4 
