Stephen has just come home from Wiley’s and he thinks some of enlisting. I am in for the War and I shall go with a fine purpose to act well my part and run a risk of the chances and fortunes of war. The cause is a just one and worthy of the sacrafice. May I prove worthy of the cause, I feel it my duty to support my country in the hour of peril. How can I feel otherwise. Those boasted libertie which our country has extended to us these many years of her prosperity quitude are now assailed by Traitors who seek to destroy the best government that was ever instituted, the same government that has fostered them in her Bosom ever ready to throw around them her strong arms of protection, they now seek to destroy. God forgive them. I cannot, for their cause is without hope.

I suppose I___ (Izell – dau. of Elizabeth and Romine) is a large girl now and goes to school and helps her mother work and little Elda (Ella – dau. of Elizabeth and Romine) O how I should like to see your children and you, perhaps for the last time yet I trust not. I hope to see you all again.

P.S. our folks all send their love to you and the children, Stephen sends his. You shall hear from me again, tell them good night. Henry Van Vlack

I start for Elmira Monday the 7^th of October. When have you heard from John (brother). Write and let us know. If you should write to me in the course of two weeks, direct to Elmira N. York Barracks no. 3, care of Captain WASHBURN Co. A 64^th Regt. I don’t know when we shall leave Elmira but I think in the course of two weeks.

Good night
Your Brother Henry

Henry to sister Hannah Van Vlack and brother-in-law Darwin Chandler

Sunday Evening
Oct. 6, 1861

Chandler & Hannah

I will make a few marks for you to look at. I shall not have time to write a full letter to you for I start for Elmira tomorrow at 3 P.M. for the Regiment will soon start from that place to the seat of war either inWashington or under General FREMONT in the west. I care not where we go if it is only in defense of our country.

Stephen is before me now, he says he wants to go & so does George, but George is not very fast to go. Stephen, I think will go yet. I can’t say go or stay but hemust act his own pleasure and so must George. Mother feels bad but she feels that the country demands the sacrifice, and so she ought to think.

I should like to see you all and would have come out West if it was not for the War.

You shall hear from me soon again
Your Brother Henry

George to his brothers

Elmira
October 24^th, 1861

Dear Brothers,

We received your kind and Brotherly letter last evening and Henry & I enjoyed reading it and called it good.

Your letter found us well in good spirits and growing fat and we hope these lines will find you enjoying the same.

Mother, Jane & Ada, - Henry and I was greatly pleased on receiving those splendid presents from our good old home. How thankful we ware to you for they were the nicest thing that could have been sent to us. Few will bee thenights that I will sleep under those quilts when I am not thinking of Mother and Jane. Though never shal I forget any of you while I live.

There is no one who can think more of their home, parents, brothers and sisters than I doo. You may think by the way I came off that I done rong. Perhaps I did though I thought I had better do so. Though before I started I went in the Citching and Mother started and went in the wood house where Jane was and closed the door behind her. I went part way and stoped I thought it would not doo to gow in for I felt bad and it only would ad to greaf.

Enough of this, Stephen and Clinton (brothers) as you have done some running for me I wish you would doo some more. I wrote to Mr. Neubrg about changing matters with Lasky so I could find out what to do with those boots. The first ones Lasky owes W. Hugaboom (Wellington C. Hugaboom was in Company A and wounded in action at Fair Oaks, VA) $5.00 and he will take the boots if need be will turn it. I want one of you to see him and find out about it and answer this right off. For if he don’t take them I can sell them for the same as I gave. Please don’t forget it. My last boots fit me first best and they are a good quality of leather I guess.

Today the weather is very cold and the wind blows very hard. This forenoon it snowed and rained some. This morning Captain WASHBURN returned with 10 recruits from Gowanda and around there, amongst them was Charley HARB, and Mage RUG, that you know, Frank RALPH, John HALL, and George WEELS came as water (? waiter) he don’t know as he has got a burth yet for sure.

There is a good many going home on furlows but can’t only five gow from one company and that makes the turns come slow.

Henry and I talk some of gowing home but in the first place we have not got our uniforms yet. We want our likeness taken with our uniforms on. Then again it is gowing to cost eight or ten dollars to gow home and then when we come back it will be just as hard to part as before. I would like to go home and see you all and straighten some business and may if we stay here any length of time.

Some talks that we wont stay here more than two weeks but others think that we may stay six weeks. There is some companies that has not got only about half their number.

Yesterday this redgment marched downtown to escort General CHAMBERLAIN of this State Malissie and his staff up to this place. One of his staff spoke to the 64 redgment and spoke good. He is a smart speaker. He stired up the feelings of many. In the afternoon Colornel BALEY of Barrax No. 2 Commander of a redgment of light infantry called the Steauberm Rangers came here to visit this redgment. Then both redgments were drawed up in line of Battle and the old General and his staff perraded around amounghst us.

Stephen you wanted to know whether we drilled with muskets or not. We do not drill with them generally though we have some in our barrax. We sometimes drill in small squads with them. Each company has so many for the use of those who stand gard. I have been one lucky one I think for I have not been on gard nor on the tabel, I will tell you. They have a list of names commencing from A and runs down and four is called on every day. One takes charge of the table for one week making five waters (? waiters) at a time. They pass the victuals in a large dishpan such as potatoes, pudding, rice. Beef and pork is passed in pie tins, bread in a large close basket all ready buttered. Our coffy is put in a quart tin cup. We have a tin plate, steel knife and fork and tin cup. That constitutes our table furniture. Our company has gone to visit Barrax No. 4. Henry went I stayed to wright to you, Good Bye, write soon

Oct. 24, 1861

Dear Sister Jane, I can’t close without writing to you a few lines. You must bee a good girl and keep up good courage. I have no doubt but what there is dull times at home for two from a small circle makes it show. One thing makes it less work for you and mother. There is two less to do for. Henry and I would like to bee home and it would bee more pleasant for us all but we are in our right place and the place we want to bee too. For our country needs our service. Jane you must not think we are suffering for we are not. You must write me the first time you have and wright all the particulars and all the privcy. And I will doo the same.

Give y love to all the young folks around there, and especially to Mr. Parkers folks. Ada you must write to me. Jane tell any of the girls to write to me and I will answer them with pleasure.

From your fitting Brother
George W. Van Vlack
State Volenteer, N.Y.

Lewis C. SHELDON to friends

Elmira
October 24^th, 1861

Kind Friends and Neighbors,

As I had a chance to write a few lines to you I thought I would improve the chance and write to you.

I am well, happy and contented here. I was never better in health before in my life. I have gained only 16 lbs since I have been here. I do not know when we shall leave here, we may leave here in a week, and maybe not this winter. If we do not go before winter, we will not go at all, that is not for the seat of war, but for home.

I do not know as I shal come home at all now it does not look like it much now. I would like to come home and spend a day or two. I do not know as I can. Clinton (brother of George and Henry) you must write to me and tell Steve (Stephen – brother of George and Henry) he must answer that letter, and Ada must answer that on the boys fooled her on so.

Jane (sister of George and Henry), I would like to hear from you. I have not much room to write any more. A letter here is a nice thing here. Give my love to my folks and tell them to write soon. All I care for now is to go to the seat of was so good bye now.

From your friend
Lewis C. Sheldon

George Van Vlack to friends at home

Elmira
Wednesday, Oct. 30, 1861

Friends and home Brothers, Sisters, and Parents,

As I have a little time this evening I thought I would send a few lines letting you know how we are getting along. We are enjoying the best kind of health. Henry is engaged in writing to you. We enjoy our selves first best.

He and I was on gard last night and yesterday we were on 24 hours, that is 2 hours on duty and 4 hours off for 24 hours. We have what is called a beet, that is a sertin distance that we have to walk and must not let anyone pass. We have a gun with a bayonette on and no one can pass. If they do we call the corporal of the gard giving our number. He comes and sees what I want and catches him if he can etc. Some of the boys will run the gard once and a while and when they get catched they gow to the gard house and are put in the dungeon and stay untill morning. Sometimes go on gard the next day. The rules are not very strict here. The roll is called three times a day and if we haint here to answer to our names, the name is picked and we have to gow on gard 24 hours. The roal is called at 6 o’clock in the morning and all have to bee up to answer to their names. Some rather go on gard than to get up to roal call.

Enough of this for the preasant, when I come home I then will tell you all I know. Yesterday the Artillery Redgment Commanded by Co. BALEY from this ground left, it allmost looks lonesome here since they left here. There is comeing a company of Cavelry comeing in soon to fill up their vakent barraxes.

We have had rather bad luck lately with recruits, out of seventeen men 9 was rejected, out of them that was rejected was Frank RALPH, John HALL, Mage RUGG, Charley HART and four or five from Gowanda.

Henry and Lute and myself went down town this four noon to get our likenesses taken. Henry and I had our likenesses taken with our suits on. We have six a piece taken. They are taken on paper. They are photographs. We did not get them, they were not finished. We will get them Friday.

We expected a letter from you but was not disappointed in not receiving one. We shall look for one tomorrow. I don’t expect you can get time to write to us as often as we do to you though there is more to write to us. You must write as often as you can for we shal be glad to hear from you every day if we could. I have written to the girls sometime ago, have not heard from them yet.

How do you get along with the work. Let me know, Clinton (brother), how do you get along with the Horses. You must take good care of them and bee careful with them and I hope I may have the privilege of driving them in a few days.

My best respects to all, excuse this poor writing and bad spelling. Answer soon

From your unworthy Sun & Brother
George W. Van Vlack, a Soldier

Henry Van Vlack to friends at home

Barracks No. 3
Oct. 30, 1861

Dear Friends at Home,

It has been some time since I have written to you or heard from you. We received Stephens letter mailed at Fredonia and George answered it but I have not.

I hope you sold your seeds Stephen for a fair price, for you certainly have had them long enough to sell them. Did you go to Dunkirk and see Halls folks. I should have written to Hall before this but I thought I should see him soon and it would not be necessary, but I can’t tell when I shall see him, for I can’t tell how soon I shall be able to get away from here.

We have not elected our non-commissioned officers yet, and the Captain wants all the men here for we have only enough to entitle us to an election. Every company must have eighty two men to elect those officers. We will have an election the last of this or the first of next week, and then I think one of us can come home, but I don’t believe both of us can get away together. We want more recruits and If I come I shall come to recruit. I would like it very much if we both could come together but I don’t think now that we can. There are so many that want to go home, and they are quite annoying to the Captain. If I thought that only one of us would have a chance to go home I would resign my chance to George for how could I do otherwise. But if George has any necessary business to settle up I think he could get a chance to go, he came away from home very suddenly and didn’t have much time to think or act. I think there could be no harm in both of us coming home and seeing you and settle up our business that is not settled, but if we come we must return again and I think we would do that with manly hearts. There is some attractions in a soldiers life, especially in the 64^th. I have attached myself to it and so has George and I can say we are content with our situation. We must sacrifice many things for the general good of our Country and Countrymen. We leave our best friends and many privileges behind us but the thoughts of them seems to spur us on instead of impeding our progress. The consciousness that we are engaged in defending the Liberties of a loved Country and are to shield our Friends, yes our very firesides from the encroachments of Traitors is sufficient to drive the faintest heart to the front of the turmoil and nerve the arm to strike with irristable power while it can.

Dear Friends, when I take everything in consideration I can but justify the course we have taken. Any person that is unfit for Military Service is doing more for his Country if he can raise subsistance than he would if he were in the army. There are enough sound able bodied men, if only they appreciated the worth of their country to swell our Army to Heap, but may lack the courage.

Last Monday we had a grand review in our parade ground. All the troops in Elmira met here on parade. There were some over four thousand men in line of Battle, in two ranks, that is two lines and they showed up Big. Colonel T.J. PARKER (was the officer of the Day and took charge of the review. General VANVALKENBURG (Commanding this Depot) and his staff were here to review us. If we had only had arms and well drilled and all that were here that day could have been at the Bull Run Fight, I think we could have carried the day. We drill well without arms. We have no arms to drill with, only a few old muskets for the guards.

George and I were on guard last night for the first time, it was a pleasant evening and we went through well. All the boys from Perrysburg are enjoying good health. Charley SKIDMORE is much improved in health and is with us. He left the hospital last week and is improving.

I should like to take supper with you some evening. I think you would laugh to see how greedy a soldier can be at table. I have not heard much war news since we came here. We don’t have much chance to hear news. George & I went down town this forenoon and had our pictures taken, but they didn’t finish them. We will get them home some way if we don’t fetch them ourselves. I must close this, all of you write to us, Good night.

H.G. Van Vlack

P.S. Our pictures are photograhs on paper, and I think will look well. Have you heard from John (brother), write and let us know.

Henry
Address – Elmira Barracks No. 3
Care of Capt. WASHBURN
Co. A 64^th Regt.

George to sister Jane

Elmira
Dec. 8^th, 1861
Sunday Fournoon

Dear Sister,

It is with pleasure that I take this opportunity of writing to you. We are quite well though I have not been for a while back. Yesterday I catched more cold and last night I had quite a feaver and was rather bad off, but today I feel mutch beater. The sergant gave me some pills this morning and I feel better.

Sister Jane, Wellington Hugaboom (Pvt. Co. A, from Versailles, age 25) come in last evening. He brought some letters, one for me, one for Henry. Henrys written by you, mine by Clinton and Stephen. Jane I read your letter with mutch pleasure and was glad to hear that you were all well there at home.

Jane you are taking interest in your studies, which I am very glad to hear. You must bee diligent and attentive to your studies. If I could not study as I ought when I went to school, I can advise you can’t I Jane. You spoke about that Arithmatic that I left home. You can use it just as if it were your own. I had rather you would use it than not for I probably shall never use it again. For I shall have something else to do when I return from the war if ever I do & if not I sertenly want need it.

We have had marching orders several times & have them now again. I have not written before about our leaving for the seat of war but now I do. This Redgment will leave Elmira at 5 o’clock Tuesday evening for the sitty of Washington. If nothing happens to prevent us from starting at that time. It is possible we may not start until Wednesday though you may consider us on our way if you receive this in time Tuesday after Five o’clock P.M.

Jane, you must be a good girl, doo what you can to favor Mother and when you write to me write some for her. She would write if she could to Henry & me but as she cant and we know it we must write to her. Henry & I have not written to you mutch about those things you sent us but you cant guess how mutch good we took out of that butter that you sent to us. It lasted some time it was very nice.

Mother, that cheas you sent to us came very good. When I got a little lonesome & felt like eating something then I would gow and get a piece of cheas and eat it. I had the pleasure of eating the last of it last Sunday. And those tomato preserves went good and those dried charrys too. Mother this last can of butter makes three that you have sent to me. This one that you sent last is very nice. We had it for breackfast. The boys think we fair well for things at home.

Mother, we will send some things home, though we have not packed them yet. I guess we shall take our quilts, we will if possible. Good bye for this time. Mother bee careful of your health. Give my love to Mr. & Mrs. Parker and to all inquiring friends. Henry sends his love to all.

I ever remain your son & brother
George W. Van Vlack

P.S. Top of first page
Jane, you may give my love to all the young folks around there and you and Clinton gow when you can and enjoy yourselves when you can and be respected in sosity. Good bye Dear Sister

Henry Van Vlack to friends

Elmira
Dec. 8^th, 1861

Dear Friends,

George & myself are well and happy to hear from you so often through the members of our Company.

We take pleasure in eating the Butter that you sent to us. Good butter is quite a luxury to us here, though we have plenty to eat & pretty good food, allowing me to judge. But Mother, your butter tastes like home and also reminds us of home & Friends.

Sometimes when the Regement is in line and marching through the streets of Elmira (which is quite often for the 64^th turns out on all great occasions) I feel that I would not for worlds be engaged otherwise than I am. When Country Honor & All is at stake if it were not for my Country I never could make a soldiers life congenial. There are many things that makes a soldiers life unpleasant and yet if these are passed through safely it proves one of the best of schools.

A man, I find can school his mind and habits to suit his fancy if he desires to do so. When I left home I expected to be homesick and pass through many hard trials on first entering in the army. But I said with a firm heart, I will if possible conform myself to my fate, let it be as providence decides, and that has been my guide thus far. I think enough of Friends and Home, but that small voice is in my ears, it says to me (be contented where you are- duty first & pleasure & enjoyment after).

My eyes are getting much better. I can bear the sunlight well. Today is Sunday but I did a little washing for myself because I didn’t find time to do it before.

W. HUGABOOM & Frank PARKER arrived here last night all sound. Frank was examined today and excepted in the service. The sergon thinks he can cure his eyes, they are bad indeed.

We have not had over an inch of snow here yet. For the last few days the weather has been warm and pleasant. It seems just like spring. I was surprised to hear that you have had some sleighing.

John (brother – John B. Van Vlack - Sergeant in the 6th and 12th Regts., Wis. Vol. Inf) has enlisted and is going to Maddison to drill. I did think hard of John for writing to me as he did but it is all forgotten. He relents for writing and there is yet some hopes left to catch at. I hope we may be fortunate enough to be in the same division of the Army so that we could see him. I do expect to see him again in this life.

George is writing to Stephen & Clinton I will send this by itself if it makes it too heavy for one.

Lute Sheldon enjoys himself like a lark. He is fat and full of fun, his whiskers are getting so long and his face so full, it is doubtful of his own folks knowing him at first sight, though his laugh would betray him anywhere.

The soldiers are troubled with sore throat. George & I was troubled with it but the bottle of Magnetic that I got cured it in short order.

Clinton, if you go to the House Warming dance with the prettyest girl for me. I hear they are to have one at Nip Nellses. Jane, I received what you sent in good order & I thank you.

Father, what do you think of the state of affairs at this present time. I think it time that this suspense was broken and the continent shaking from pole to pole with the thundering of artillery & cavalry and the thousands of Infantry hurled in mass upon the vilest of Traitors. How long must this mighty power lie quiet in repose, not long I trust.

I shall not write again until we leave. We leave Tuesday or Wednesday this week without fail. We are to be presented with a regimental flag Tuesday.

(top of first page):
I shall not write again until after we leave here. If we go to Washington you will hear from us there. Sam HALL is at the hospital yet. We are armed with Enfield Rifles. Some of the corporals are armed with the French Musket creased the same as the Rifles, and they say they are better to shoot than the Enfield Rifle. The Rifle is lighter and better finished and thicker barrels.

All good by until you hear from us.

H.G. Van Vlack 7^th Corporal
Co. A 64^th Regt.
N.Y.V.M.

George Van Vlack to brother DeWitt Clinton

Elmira
Dec. 8^th 1861

Dear Brother Clinton,

We received your kind letter and was glad to hear from you. We are quite well at present and so is all the boys here from Versailles (Versailles, Cattaraugus County, NY) with the exception of Sam HALL. He is at the hospital sick. He is some better today.

Lute (Lewis C. SHELDON) is tuff as an old buck sheep. He wrote to you some time since and Stephen, and thought you had got the letter but it appears from what you wrote that you did not get any answer.

You are gowing to school now are you? You must pay good attention to them for education is no disatvantage to man, let him bee placed where he will. Clinton you must not forsake the girls for that wont do at this presant time for the girls are thick as ever or thicker, and the boys are scarce. Pitch in Clinton for now is the time you have full swing. So give my love to Flory when you have the opertunity and don’t wate long.

Enough of this, I am glad to know that Frank horse is getting along with his leg. Take good care of the horses and bee careful with them. Lime is good for Johns coff, keep some in his manger. Write when you hear from us. Good bye, excuse mistakes in spelling & writing.

I ever remain your affectionate Brother
George

Father, when some of the children, as you call them are writing the particulars other from your affairs you can tell me all about the affairs on the farm. I shall bee just as glad to hear from them as any other and more so probably. Write all the perticulars about how you sold your pork and beef and all others in the line of sales. We shal start for Washington Tuesday 5 P.M.

Good by to all
G..W..V..V..

George Van Vlack to brother Stephen

Elmira
Dec. 8^th 1861
Sunday Evening

Dear Brother,

I take this opertunity of answering your kind and sentimentle letter of the 6^th. We were very glad to hear that you were well and enjoying your self. We are quite well both of us and enjoyed that letter, the best kind. I had to laugh when I red that lingo of yours. But that is the kind of letter to write. How Lute laughed when he red it. He told me to tell you that you was a darned shit. He speaks of you often and says he would like to see you and have some fun with you, as he terms it. He is fat and likes to fool as well as usual.

Stephen, you wanted to know if we had received any pay yet or not. We have not and probily wont untill we have been there some time. Pay is slow but shure with Uncle Sam.

Stephen, we have got all our equipment now except the Cap box. Perhaps it would be entertaining for you to hear what they were, but it would not bee so entertaining if you had to carry them all. First it is Gun, waist belt for the bayonet, catriage box and belt crossing the left sholder, then those darnd great knapsacks, then haversacks for carring previsions, then the canteens, which hold three pints, then plate, cup, knife and fork. I believe tht is all thogh I may of forgot something. Yet you can guess they are well harnessed. Our guns are the Enfield Rifle. Well made and well sighted, creased barl, very sharp but not Sabor bayonet.

Good by for now
George Van Vlack Esg.

George to friends at home

Elmira
Dec. 10^th, 1861

Friends at Home,

Henry & myself are well & hope these few lines will find you enjoying the same blessings.

Today is Tuesday, the day set for us to leave Elmira. We start at 5 P.M. It is now about 1. The Regment is busily engaged in packing their napsacks and fitting their equipment. We are going to send our things in a vehicle by William JIMISON to the Perrysburg station. Then Cornelous will take them to you. We expect we shall send such things as we cant cary with us.

We have just been down to dinner and got our rations for three days. They consist of 2 loaves of bread, about a pound and a half of beef or mutten. We have some of your butter Mother, to eat on our journey. Yesterday I was down town and got a pound of crackers. They will bee nice to eat on our way.

We are plentafully provided for and most to mutch. So we have the darndest load you ever saw men carry. I will bet you would not think half of us could carry them.

My best respects to you all, good bye.

Henry sends his to all, Lute sends his to his folks & to all who know him. We will write to you as soon as we get settled and you must answer it right off to let us know that you get them.

The hole Redgment seems to feel pleased to gow, they all want to get down to Dixey.

Good Day to All.
George W. Van Vlack