In Their Own Words
June 02, 1862
Civil War Soldier Eager to Return to Service
While most soldiers pined for home, here is a rare example of one who was ready to return to action after being at home recuperating from an illness.
“…I am now very busy preparing myself to start again for the field of action. I honestly had rather be in service than remain at home. I am so used to a crowd I hardly know how to content myself. If I go to church I see nothing but ladies, if I go down town I see nothing but old me; so I just set at home and read nearly all the time. …”
Source: Clyde G. Wiggins III (ed.), My Dear Friend: The Civil War Letters of Alva Benjamin Spencer, 3rd Georgia Regiment, Company C (Macon, Mercer University Press, 2007), pp. 58-59.
