1862 HANDWRITTEN MANUSCRIPT CIVIL WAR LETTER FROM A LOVING AND LONELY WIFE HAVING A HARD TIME MAKING ENDS MEET

On offer is an original handwritten 5 page letter dated Nov 5 1862 from a loving and very lonely wife addressed to "Capt. William B. Alexander Co. E. 23d Reg. Mass. Vols. New Bern NC." Hand delivered by Sergt. Appleton is written on the cover. Excellent war period letter from the home-front about Capt. Alexander's wife hinting towards needing more money; "I shall get my wood & coal for the winter wich is 8 & 10 dollars a ton so you see I cannot lay up much out of what you sent home & I suppose it must be because I am extravigant & dont know how to get along and keep house…" Also content regarding the war, "today is wednesday 5 thousand troops leave Boston to day to go to the seat of War Gen Banks is here…" Research finds Capt. Alexander was wounded in action in the battle at New Bern, NC. Capt William Bemis Alexander Co E, 23rd MA was more seriously wounded in the left arm while engaged in the Union capture of New Bern, N. C., 14 March 1862. The Alexanders lived in Boston where William worked as a carpenter before enlisting with the Union Army VG.