This letter was written by Sgt. Sherman W. Parkhurst for Amos G. Cook (1844-1862), the son of Amos Cook (1802-1858) and Freelove Arnold (1808-1882) of Chester, Windsor county, Vermont.
Amos enlisted on 10 December 1861 at age 18 to serve in Co. G, 7th Vermont Infantry. He was mustered in on 12 February 1862 and went with the regiment to Louisiana where he died on 18 October 1862, just one week after this letter was written. His body now lies in the Chalmette National Cemetery in Louisiana.
Sherman W. Parkhurst (1833-1897) of St. Johnsbury first served as a Lieutenant in the 2nd Vermont Infantry but resigned to join the 7th Vermont.
Transcription
New Orleans, Louisiana
October 10th 1862
Dear Sister,
I received a letter from you the other day was very glad to hear from you. I am sick in the hospital at Carrollton. It is 7 miles from New Orleans. Have been sick ever since the 1st of July. Have got a very sore throat. Can’t speak a loud word and my legs are all swollen. My legs are as large again as they ought to be. The doctor says it is the scurvy. There is a good many sick now in our regiment—only 100 able to do duty. All the rest are sick with the swamp fever, scurvy, fever, and ague. Don’t know when I shall get well. Have been in the hospital a long while and I don’t seem to get any better.
How is brother Rufus and his family. Do give my best respects to them and tell them that I should like to see them very much. Hope you will write to me again. Should like to hear from you often.
I feel all discouraged here. Wish I was back again where I came from. Don’t like to live in this climate very well. Don’t think it is a very healthy place to live for Northern soldiers. But I will try and keep up good courage and be patient, and hope for the best. Please give my respects to all that enquire.
Yours truly, — S. W. Parkhurst for Amos G. Cook
P. S. Direct your letters to New Orleans, La., Co. G, 7th Vermont Regt., Care of Capt. Solomon Dutton
— A. G. Cook
Spared & Shared 22 