This four page letter in ink was written by Frederick E. Ranger, a Lieutenant in Company F of the 22nd New York Infantry.  The letter is signed “Fred”, but fortunately the envelope is present, addressed to his wife and so we have a positive I.D.  The letter is in fine condition.  The stamp has been removed from the envelope.  

                                                             “The day after we came off picket the 30th Regt. (which 
                                                        relieved us) captured a Secesh spy, found him in a hole in the 
                                                                       ground just outside our lines & brought him in.”

#HB66 - Price $50




      Transcription:
                                                                                                                                     Camp Augur (Not Gimlet)
                                                                                                                                        Sabbath Eve Feb. 23/62

                         My Darling Wife,

Another Sabbath eve has come to us, & tho far away in body, mind & heart are
at home sitting in the rocking chair with our little ones near us and talking to you
dearest far easier & more fluently than I ever can by paper.  We have had another
two days of indolence & floundering in the mud.  Tonight we had a prayer from
Brother Bates, the Star Spangled Banner by the band, some battalion movements
for about ten minutes, then tea and are now seating comfortably in our quarters
& nothing to do till bedtime.  Today I had my first washing done by Billy Allen, &
it looks very nice.  I did not receive any letters last night but should probably
tomorrow night.  I have written a letter to Mary Evens toady and proposed to
write one to Aunt Mary Bidder tonight if I have time.  You must tell me how she
is in your next.  The first chance I get I will write to Libbus.  The Captain has got
on one of us hot fires tonight & it is just hot enough here to roast potatoes. 

I sit here & stop writing every little while, commence thinking about home &
wonder what you are all doing.  Who brings up the coal now, & how does it hold out,
have you purchased a new dumping iron yet for the stove?  Now darling when you
write, write every little particular, for everything at home has a peculiar interest
for me now.  I believe I could devour one of mother’s fricasseed chickens with great
gusto.

And the children I can well appreciate Aunt Mary’s desire to want to bug
them only I would want to squeeze their mother more than all.  Our Camp is
healthy with the exception of colds, but I should not think it would be with this
mud – I have nothing of interest to write tonight & this will be rather a meager
 letter, but darling it is just as full of love and desire to see you as though it filled
three or four sheets. 

Tell father to take some pennies out of the drawer & buy me some letter
postage stamps & send them in the next letter.

With many kisses for you and the babies I bid you all good night. 

The day after we came off picket the 30th Regt. (which relieved us) captured
a Secesh spy, found him in a hole in the ground just outside our lines & brought
him in.  I just happened to think of this & so thought I would put it in.  

                                                                                                    Your loving hub., Fred