Lt. Frederick E. Ranger of Company F in the 22nd New York Infantry, a resident of Glens Falls, New York, writes home to his wife a 4 page letter in pencil with the majority of the letter telling about a black church service that he attended and a description of the preacher.   The account is very colorful and put this together with one of the humorous pictures of a black meeting house that we have seen in a Harper’s Weekly and you have a great pair!  On the Civil War Database, one of Rangers Fredericksburg letter is written out.  Our letter comes with the original envelope addressed to his wife… important in that the letter is signed “Fred”.  The envelope provides solid I.D. 

·          “At 3 o’clock they had a nig*** meeting in the next house & of course I attended.  I only
wish you could have been there or I had the gift of describe it to you.  It put them they used
to have in the basement of the M. E. Church clear in the shade.  There was 35 or so colored
persons or children as the Old Patriarch called them, dressed up in their Sunday finery. 
Gaudy if not rich, varying from the toothless old gunea hag to the good looking sprightly
Malatto.  The Shepherd of this flock of black sheep was an old nig of 80 with a pair of lungs
like a blacksmiths bellows with a pair of gun boats for feet.  He did not follow the prescribed
mode of clinical dress, but was attired in a brown linen coat with a flowing yellow neck tie
& a pair of large blue plaid pants under garments.  His sermon was on faith – but it was
beyond description he directed considerable of his discourse to me what he didn’t distribute
among the sisters, & after he got through, frankly asked me how I liked it – I told him “bully”.  
The old fellow was very much pleased with my attention & I heard him tell one of “de brudders”
dat Gramma was a judge of preaching.  You can bet the singing was good & it was tucked in
promiscuous - & there was lots of praying & all prayed for the Union army & the soldiers might
all return safe to their homes & carry something saved to their wives.”

A humorous and colorful letter!

#B45 - Price $265

Transcription:
                                                                                                       Falmouth Va. July 28/62
                                                                                                                     Monday Evening

My Darling Wife,

                    Yesterday morning as I informed you I went on picket had a very
pleasant time - nothing to do but make yourself as comfortable as possible. 
Yesterday we had a bully dinner down there at the Negro families.  I told you
about when I was down there before.  Capt. Peabody & Lieut. Istabrook came
down to dinner & we had a big thing – Bill of Fare – Roast duck, stuffed bacon
& string beans, boiled potatoes, beets & cucumbers & huckleberries & milk.

                At 3 o’clock they had a nig*** meeting in the next house & of course I
attended.  I only wish you could have been there or I had the gift of describe it
to you.  It put them they used to have in the basement of the M. E. Church clear
in the shade.  There was 35 or so colored persons or children as the Old Patriarch
called them, dressed up in their Sunday finery.  Gaudy if not rich, varying from
the toothless old gunea hag to the good looking sprightly Malatto.  The Shepherd
of this flock of black sheep was an old nig of 80 with a pair of lungs like a
blacksmiths bellows with a pair of gun boats for feet.  He did not follow the
prescribed mode of clinical dress, but was attired in a brown linen coat with a
flowing yellow neck tie & a pair of large blue plaid pants under garments.  His
sermon was on faith – but it was beyond description he directed considerable of
his discourse to me what he didn’t distribute among the sisters, & after he got
through, frankly asked me how I liked it – I told him “bully”.  The old fellow was
very much pleased with my attention & I heard him tell one of “de brudders” dat
Gramma was a judge of preaching.  You can bet the singing was good & it was
tucked in promiscuous - & there was lots of praying & all prayed for the Union
army & the soldiers might all return safe to their homes & carry something saved
to their wives.  I had a good night’s rest & was relieved this morning, been laying
around all day.  There is an Englishman here giving some of our officers lessons
in sword exercise.  He asks $10 for 12 lessons – two a day for six days but I made
up my mind I couldn’t learn the sword exercises in 6 days & guess I shall get
along well enough without for if we ever get into action we should have much
time for cuts & passies & I shall depend on my revolver though I would give a
month’s pay to understand it as well as this fellow.

            I rec’d your letter written this 24” yesterday & 2 papers from Father. 
Aaron brought them down to me on picket & they done me a power of good. 
Noble picks will was a little tough for Peter Arm – what has become of Telinda –
I am glad the ladies of Elms Falls are doing their share of providing for the
wounded soldiers.  The idea of my having a daughter big enough to pick lint
that may save some poor fellows life – I supposed she enjoyed it and was
dressed up cute.  She could tell them for Papa was a soldier.  Tell Floy Papa
says she is a nice little lady & when she goes out she must be lady like & work
real smart.  Tell Aunt Mary she must give me a full description of her travels
after necessaries for the sick & what they have got to send.

            I would like to have seen Gib & Lizzie & hope Lizzie don’t have any
frightful dreams now a days.  You speak of getting a jockey.  Well Darling I
approve of it very much.  I always admired them, & if I remember right have
spoken to you about it that I thought they would be becoming to you, but
thought you did not admire them.  Get a nice one.  However don’t go to
captivating any of the young corsets & now darling I must bid you good
night with love to all.

            Kiss my darlings for me many many times & may God watch over you
in your hour of trail is the prayer of your loving husband,

                                                                                                                                            Fred