Dear Em

The following is a letter written by Alonzo ("Lon") Davenport of the 16th New Hampshire Infantry, to his wife Emily "Em". He had enlisted on 3 Sept 1862, and was mustered in on 23 Oct as a corporal. He was mustered out on 20 Aug 1863.

It is a very short letter, as his captain [Jonathan P Sanborn] was heading into town, so Alonzo was quick to write.

                                                                                March 19th 1863

Dear Em,
I have about
two minutes to write you a few
lines. Capt. Sanborn is going to
Baton Rouge I can send it by
him there the other that I wrote
Monday I will send with this.
I had no chance to send it since
I wrote it. I am well and in
good spirits. I am just find-
ing out what soldiering is.
Went on a forced march
Tuesday and got back yesterday.
Had quite a hard time of it.
Last (sun?) ( ? ) we marched
18 miles in twelve hours in
the mud up to our knees
part of the way. You never
see such a looking lot of men
in your life. But our courage

Vertical Divider

​is still good. I would like
to write some of the particulars
but have no time.
I guess you cannot read this
but it will do for you to
look at and let you know
I am alive.
I will write again soon.
Love to all.
                       Write often.

From your affection-
ate husband,
​                     Lon Davenport

Alonzo D Davenport was born in Chelsea, Vermont on 4 Nov 1835, the son of Davis L. and Submit (Courser) Davenport. He was living in Salisbury, New Hampshire at the time of his enlistment, and afterwards moved to Franklin, NH. He died there from Bright's Disease on 28 June 1906, aged 70, and was buried in Franklin Cemetery.
He had married his wife, Emily A. Davis, on 16 Mar 1860. She died in Franklin on 2 Feb 1919.

More about:
Find a Grave entry: Alonzo D Davenport
History of the Sixteenth Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteers
​Vermont in the Civil War (entry for Alonzo Davenport)