4th Pennsylvania Cavalry

Item LTR-236

Description

3 page original Civil War soldier's letter, written in period ink and war dated.

Camp Kerr, VA
March 17th 1863

Friend Newton,

I this morning seat myself to address you to inform you to my arrival to camp. I arrived on the 15th which was the Sabbath day. I found everything about the same as when I left. More than the boys had a little fun with the rebs on the 25th of February. We had one man killed and three wounded and several taken prisoner. But at the same time our men was not idle but they rained retaliation for the depredation that the rebs had committed on our lines by killing five of their officers. And a good number of their men paid the great debt that we must all pay at some time sooner or later. When we know not.

Well I will tell you a little about the weather down here. It is a little like the warm winter weather up there. But they call it cold down here. They have not had any snow of any account for two weeks and it was not over two inches deep and melted off the second day. But as for mud, we have it in plenty. I am all right as far as staying over my time. Its consigned no trouble on that part. There I hear the sounds of the bugle and not of the bell.

Dear Sir,

What a contrast you must excuse a short letter and mistakes.

I will close by asking you to write soon.

Northing more at the present.

But remain your friend,

C. J. Smith

Newton Stevens

P.S. Address:

C. J. Smith
No. 4th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Company I
Washington DC