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Thomas B. Neat to Walt Whitman, 2 February 1864

About This Item

  • Title: Thomas B. Neat to Walt Whitman, 2 February 1864
  • Date: February 2, 1864
  • Creator(s): Thomas B. Neat
  • Whitman Archive ID: nyp.00159
  • Source: Henry W. and Albert A. Berg Collection of English and American Literature at the New York Public Library. The transcription presented here is derived from Drum Beats: Walt Whitman's Civil War Boy Lovers, ed. Charley Shively (San Francisco, California: Gay Sunshine Press, 1989), 166-167. For a description of the editorial rationale behind our treatment of the correspondence, see our statement of editorial policy.
  • Contributors to digital file: Elizabeth Lorang Vanessa Steinroetter Bev Rilett Eric Conrad Kathryn Kruger Nick Krauter
  • Cite this page: Neat, Thomas B.. "Thomas B. Neat to Walt Whitman, 2 February 1864." The Walt Whitman Archive. Gen. ed. Matt Cohen, Ed Folsom, & Kenneth M. Price. Accessed 26 April 2024. <http://www.whitmanarchive.org>.
  • Source File: nyp.00159.xml (TEI)
My Dear Friend Walter

I1 now take my pen to Write you a few lines to let you know that I am Well and I hope that these few lines Will find you the same it has rained hear for the last three or fore days, but it is clear now and looks pleasant and Cavalry is laying still now and I am at the General Head Quarters and I have grand times nothing to do but eat and drink. I am Well pleased but When Spring opens We Will have enof to do I think that this summer is agoing to settil this War I am Willing to do my part of fighting and old Abe has called for more men and that Will help us and We can Wipe the Cavalry if mead Will lookout for the infantry the rebs is coming over the river every day thair Was tow here about a hour ago I donot know of enithing more to Write so no more at present from your true friend

PS excuse poor Writing

Notes

  • 1. In a letter to his mother, Whitman describes Thomas B. Neat as "one very good boy, Thos Neat, 2d N Y Cavalry, wounded in leg—he is now home on furlough, his folks live I think in Jamaica, he is a noble boy, he may call upon you, (I gave him here $1 toward buying his crutches &c.)— I like him very much." (See Whitman's letter to his mother from October 27, 1863.) [back]
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