Captain Scales

December 1st, 1860

Hey,

I am Alfred Scales, a Philadelphian who grew up with my father, mother, and sister, in a great home in which I watched the country I live in grow at a rapid rate, but that was the past and now I am Captain Scales fighting for a country in which has split. It is incredibly stupid and idiotic that the country has fell down this path, why can't we just put aside our diferences and go on as a country. People of the Southern part of this land mass tell me I do not understand as I am just a guy with three sons with minimal understanding of the large benefits of what the North calls an evil, prejudice system. My siding with the Union is purely bicause their first intention was to keep the country together in a way that I can get behind. Even with my age climbing, to 48, I still will dedicate myself to the future of this country as a general. I understand It will be hard to leave Sally, Billy, George, and Charles, but it is what is best for my country that matters. I hope to see my family again after completing this counterproductive war.

October 28, 1861

Hello Sally,

Just to start off, everything so far is okay. Our regiment has struggled quite a bit as many of our lims have been lost, it has been a struggle to function as a group. Recently, rain came pouring down causing our camp to be incredibly muddy, stopping mail, but with some high energy from the new recruits arriving, we gained a bit of some very needed momentum. The Union is becoming surprisingly overwhelmed by the brilliance and strategic power of the Confederacy and their "biggest advantage", generals.

Okay, enough of the war talk, I miss you guys tremendously and tell Billy, George, and Charles they need to continue to learn as much as possible and that I love them. This new income tax  in my opinion is outreageous as it costs civilians like us money to continue a war that should be complete at this moment. The tax is quite annoying, but the economy is booming through manufacturing and the South will struggle without our help. This is why the country needs to be back together! I can imagine the streets feeling incredibly empty and depressing as the Union is showing weakness to a southern group who just succeeded. How long will this last? I will fight for our country.

Best of luck, love you,

Alfred Scales

September 29, 1862

Hello Sally, Billy, George, and Charles,

I hope you guys have been well as you guys hopefully continue to learn and protect yourselves on the empty streets of the beautiful North. We have continued to work our way into the south with not too much difficulty, but they are familiar with the lands in which we fight on making it harder to win. Sally, I miss you dearly and I hope you continue to protect our family, assets, and youth.

On some events, the Battle of Antietam has been a big deal in the North as so many people are disappointed in George McClellan, no hate on you George, but he sucks. This idea of trying to keep the Union together is near impossible at this point as so much blood has been shed and there is no way either side surrenders unless something humongous happens. Also, Charles stops fantasizing about the idea of being in battle* because it is not as great as it seems, but I will do it for the greater good of this country.

Best of luck and I love you guys dearly,

Alfred Scales

*P.S. pictures coming soon...

December 12, 1863

My Dearest Sally,

The war efforts might be turning around, but one of our best nurses has been proved to be a spy! She bamboozled us for nearly two years. Our regiment is in shock and I can feel a difference in mood around camp. Something good, we absolutely demolished the Johnny Rebs in the Battle of Gettysburg. The three day battle is what we believe to be the beginning of the end or the turning point for the Rebs as I believe we are going to try to split the Confederates down the Mississippi River. I believe this frankly because the Rebs do not have enough firepower to maintain control over the Mississippi River and eventually this war will hopefully end.

Now onto family matters, I heard the family is well besides the recent sickness to Charles, hope he regains his health and continues to gain knowledge in the brilliant schools made by Horace Mann, I have nothing but respect for him. Continue on without me, the war continues to intensify in the stupidity of the Rebs after they succeeded. Tell the children they will not lose my love regardless of how far away I am and seem to be.

With all my love,

Alfred Scales

P.S. Tell the kids in their letters to call me Scaleman from now on.

November 15, 1864

Old but very relevant news which you've definitely heard of is Ulysses S. Grant taking over the Union Army. I am quite fond of the man, as "Little Mac" was too scared to make moves in battle even when the advantage stands in front of us. Last bit of big news, after McClellan was demoted he dared show his face to the public eye by running against Abraham Lincoln! This outrageous behavior was tolerated by few as he lost to Honest Abe. I respect Abe greatly for his work in trying to keep the Union together, then after the succession of the South, he jumps into battle and even with little experience he maneuvers and manipulates situations to his liking. We have almost split the Rebs into two, they are hanging on for dear life and their opportunity in this war. I have high hopes for Ulysses S. Grant.

Something more personal, I have encountered some of the greatest cornbread since I have been home. The sweet buttermilk was a great surprise after I had supper last night. Multiple people spoke of this cornbread as grand and legendary but I still think yours was better when I was at home. It might be considered a southern dish but my gosh they have gotten at least one thing right with this bread. With the addition of sugar, it is the North's special for us troops. You may have to make it for me and the children when this war ends. The ingredients are cornmeal, flour, eggs, sometimes buttermilk if available, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Out here substitutes are common so I have no doubt you will whip it up in a magical way.

With my greatest hopes,

Alfred Scales

P.S. Tell the children their Scaleman might be coming home soon.

April 23, 1865

Sally,

I am coming home! My respect for Abraham Lincoln will never slow. My ideals of no malice war reflected greatly by the second-termed president. I hope for the best of him in a place above after his sad passing due to an assassination. He was watching a show if my news was correct and I heard murmurs of the killer fleeing to a barn. After fighting at the Battle of Saylor's Creek, in which 8000 of the Johnny Rebs surrendered, Robert E. Lee was quoted saying "My God! Has my army dissolved?" This is hilarious, and that was the finale if the Civil War.

I am so thrilled to come home to see you guys. I am just going to hop on the Sultana and in a matter of time, I will be right back with you guys! Tell everyone Charles, George, and Billy that Daddy is coming home. Even tell the grandparents to come into town, we will have a nice time once I arrive back home. Sultana, here I come!

I am coming home,

Alfred Scales

This was the last Sally heard from Alfred Scales.