[Autograph Letter, Signed, from a Soldier to Miss Lizzie Frazee Back Home]

Brownsville, Al: April 20, 1864. Very good.. [4]pp. Quarto. Old folds, light wear and soiling. In a legible hand. With original envelope. A letter written by a Union soldier stationed in Alabama to a friend back home in Missouri. Signed only as "Jo", the letter is quite familiar and written to Elizabeth Frazee of Alexandria, Missouri. There is some initial mention of "Capt. Frazee," whom we presume to be Morris Frazee, Elizabeth's brother, who was in the 10th Missouri Infantry. The author writes of a longing for home and a good drink, being stationed in a dry county. "Our Col. arrived some few days ago but brings us but very little news and no hope of being mustered out until August. I did think that we would be out in July but I guess it is played out but will still hope.... I would like to stay until June and then go north. Every thing down here looks bright, flowers are in abundance and the trees look quite green... and if the rebs don't bother us any we will not harm them. All we dread now is a forward movement which I expect we will have to join, but there is no use of lamenting untill the time comes. We have had no alarms lately but are wishing for one or two so as to make it appear that there is some danger in leaving this place unguarded. Our brigade could not be of much force at present no how for the regiments are so scattered one in Huntsville, one home on furlough and the two others ten miles apart and the one at Huntsville leaves for home soon as they can be mustered as veterans." He goes on to mention empty liquor bottles stashed at home, writing "I wish [the bottle] was full and I had it here this evening. I think I could enjoy it hugely for this is a great temperance country, the reason for it is that Uncle Sam has stopped the sale of it, so you see it is a dry season with us at this time, but we expect to make up for this when we get home or at St. Louis." He continues with personal news and some flirtatious talk, including about kissing and sending her his photograph.