Item No. 3223388

Nineteen-year-old hatter Dudley Gale writes to his father to request permission to enlist in this November 1861 letter. Gale’s full letter reads:

Tuesday Nov. 5th 1861

Father
I came here to enlist. I have tried two places, one for cavalry and the other for Fort Warren. I had rather go in Fort Warren and so had Frank, but I cannot without your written consent. I have got my name down. If you will send on your written consent, I can go in Fort Warren. If not, I can go in cavalry, which is going to start for war in a few days. Please write by Thursday certain. Don’t let Mother cry for me, for I am having a grand time. I have been all over the city, to the State house, Bunker hill monument, Charlestown Navy Yard, and other places. If I go in Fort Warren, I can stay during the war and have $100 bounty.
Your Son
Dudley

Perhaps Gale’s father did not provide permission, because the HDS database indicates that three days after writing, Gale enlisted in Company L of the 3rd Massachusetts Cavalry. He would be discharged in November 1864 and later belonged to GAR Post #122 in Amesbury, Massachusetts. He died in 1917.

The letter was written on one side of a letter sheet measuring about 5” x 8”. Creased at the original folds.