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1st Rhode Island Cavalry & 1st New Hampshire Cavalry - POW & KIA

Item LTR-356
January 20, 1863 Augustus Smith
Price: $200.00

Description

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

Camp near Falmouth, VA

January 20th 1863 A. D.

Jane,

There are a few moments before the bugle sounds water your horses, which I will occupy in answer to your letter of the seventh last. It was welcomed. I may be in debt to you for letters. It has been my effort to answer all whenever I could. There have been weeks when it was impossible to write on account of having no time and of the position. We are sent sometimes twenty miles or more. Sometimes remaining days, skirmishing with the enemy. There is no chance to send out to the mail in such instances. I thank you all for the trouble of sending me the things that are on the way and hope to be able to return the kindness, if I cannot, indeed can in heart. We are expecting boxes here today.

I hardly knew how a union fowl would taste. I pride myself on cooking success with anyone.

New Year’s night one thousand of us stayed at Warrenton, a bitter cold night it was (we were on a scout). We had the privilege of going into the houses to make our coffee, by our officers a pretty sight. We ordered the Negros to bring in wood after supper. We had to bear the open air for our turn to picket the town. One of my company was shot that night.

When we left the next morning almost every saddle had a hen tied to it and some honey in our haversacks. Warrenton the soldiers despise on account of the many insults the women have gave us. I have had ladies make up fares at one there. That is enough for me.

I have just been called out and am in line to hear an order from General Burnside read. It is another attempt to break the enemy’s lines. We are expecting to move tomorrow. I must prepare to move.

New Year’s I was reported to Troop M as one of their noncommissioned officers. Tell Harriet to write me a letter.

Yours as ever,

Augustus Smith