27th Massachusetts Infantry & 38th United States Colored Troops

Item LTR-10132

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 4 pages, written in period ink.


Camp of the 38th U.S. Colored Troops
Deep Bottom, Virginia

September 4th 1864

Cousin Jennie,

I am at liberty today to do about as I please. So will pen a few lines in answer to your welcome letter that was received yesterday. I was very glad to hear from you as I always am. I still job along nearly the same as usual. Although, I am at present suffering with a very hard cold. But that is of but little consequence when compared with a thousand other ills that I might have here in this low, unhealthy place. It is very sickly here now. The weather is fine, but it is bad for us northern men. The days are hot and the nights cold. So cold that two wool blankets are none too much to sleep under.

When I last wrote you, we were in front of Petersburg. Now we are at what is called Deep Bottom, some 12 miles from our last camp. We are on the north side of James River on a high bluff about 5 miles from Bermuda 100. All of the 18th South Carolina are in this vicinity. But only one brigade here. We have a very strong place here and one that would cost the Rebs dear, should they undertake to take it from us. Three gunboats lie here near us. One of them is a torpedo boat that was taken from the Rebs some time ago.

We are doing nothing but picket duty here. Half of the regiment are on one day. The other half the next. That is far easier than the duties they had to do when in front of Petersburg. There they had to be on duty all the time and be under fire at that.

I don’t know how long we will stay here. But probably not long. Then we will have to go into the trenches again. I hope Petersburg and Richmond will be taken before long if it is a going to be such work as this. I am sick of it and will be glad when they go over the Bay. We got the news last night that Atlanta was in our hands. Hope it is so. But am afraid it is too good to be true.

The 27th time expires now soon. I almost wish I was one of the numbers that was going home. Poor fellows. They will be glad to get out of it. Suppose you expect John home this fall. Hope his health will be good so that he can enjoy himself after 3 years of hardship. I can think of nothing more to write. So, with much love, I will bid you goodbye for this time. Remember me to your brother and all of our friends and relatives that you chance to see.

I remain your affectionate cousin, as ever.

Dwight

Address:

D. H. Howland
38th Regiment U.S. Colored Troops,
2nd Brigade
3rd Division
18th Army Corps
Fort Monroe, Virginia