Vermont Historical Society

8th Vermont Infantry, Co.F

From the Collections of the Vermont Historical Society (MSA 371:14)
[Transcription by Robert Murphy, May 2005]

See also William P. Calvert letter.

George E. Parker was born in 1843, the son of Lyman and Marcia Parker of Westford, Vermont. He enlisted in Essex, Vermont in Company F, 8th Vermont Infantry Regiment, on December 26, 1863 and mustered in on December 31, 1863. He died of disease on May 24, 1864.

Franklin, Louisana.

Feb. 18. 1864

My Dear sister Eliza.

I now take pen in hand to let you no that I am well and hope you the same and to let you no where I were. I wood like to have you write to me often for I feel very lonely. Tell [Rozinah] tat that if I get a letter from her that I shal keep it in rememberence of [Rozinah] Mars. Tell the girls that I should like to have them all write to me. I should be very pleased to get a letter from home for I feel very lonely. The first day that I got to my regiment I had pesoop for dinner and the next day rice but I did not eat it for I do not like it. I send a few kisses to youre little boy.

I am under the rules and [arthecals] of war and I have got to be tide up three years if I dont get a discharge sooner. You cannot tell what my felings was when I left home. I tell you that any one dont no how to prize home until they leave it tell John that I advise him not to enlist for he runs a risk of his life every day of his life. Folks thought when I enlisted that I would be at home in about a year but I tell you that if I could enlist again if I wanted to if I should live, but you no that I [never] shal be a soldier again if I get out of it this time & tell [Rozinah] that I wrote one letter to her when I was in Brattleboro but I dont no as she got it.

I hope in all mercy that the lord will spare my life and let me go home and see my beloved friends once more. Direct youre letters to George E. Parker 8 Vt regt co. F. neworlean neworleans louisana in care of Capt. D.S. Foster.

I give my best respects to all of my beloved friends

This from George E. Parker to his dear sister Eliza Parker. Write to me as soon as you get this.

Algers

March 6 1864

Sister.

I received youre very kind letter last nite I was very glad to get a letter from you and very glad to here that you are all well. I am well and hope these few lines will find you the same. I will give you a little discription of what I have seen. I could not see much on the boat. I had a nise time. I was 14 dayes on the boat when we got onto the mississipy river. Then we could see the negroes and [wenches] there plantations. I cant tell you any thing about [?] it dont reckon on my coming home to much for [?] it looks rather dubious now. I write to John now I expect to go onto the potomac prety soon. The 7 8 9 and 10 regiments have binn orded to go onto the potomac for the 2 Vt. brigade. John I expect you are a getting to be a quite a fiddler by this time.

How are you a geting along a farming. Are they a drafting in Vt. much I hope you wont be drafted we have got the largest army this spring that they ever has binn since this war commenced eliza tell youre father that I had rather work for him for 10 dollars a mondth than to be in the army for 50 d. if I could get out of it if a feelow is sick the docters are good for nothing they dont care if a soldier dies here no more than we care about a snake.

I have thought more than once how much comfort youll take together

If I live to come home rodny will get a present from uncle george give my best respects to all of my friends.

I will aclose my long letter by biding you good day.

This from George E. Parker to his brother and sister. good by brother John good by sister Eliza. write as soon as you get this