1st Delaware Infantry

Item LTR-10165

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 2 pages, written in period ink.


Norfolk
May 18, 1862

Dear Brother,
I take my seat this delightful Sunday morning for the purpose of sending you a few thoughts to let you know that I am still upon the land and among the living. Blest with health, strength and a good appetite, and I hope a goodly share of these blessings surround you in your little town. I guess you have heard of our move. We started for Norfolk last Friday, was a week ago. We landed Saturday morning and drove the Rebel’s picket and followed them in. We were about three miles behind them when they burned the bridge and we had to go around, so we marched in and after a long march we reached their breast works, which is about five miles long. We marched in them as if we did not care for any Rebels ever lived. We don’t care much for them, but we did not shrink. We should get in without a little fight for they had a good place to stand, but they are sneak cowards. They can’t stand so we marched in and put up for the night.
Sunday afternoon we started for Norfolk and now we are strutting about Norfolk as you please. We have houses to stay in, so we are living happy. The people here or most of them don’t like the Yankees some. Some thought we had horns. It seems that we are too sorry for them. There is some million people here. This is a nice place certain.
The old Merrimac, they blown up, so she is gone and they are gone too. I can’t say whether we shall stay or naught. Some will stay and some say we shall stay here. I would like to go on. There is three regiments here. All the rest have gone in pursuit of the enemy.
I have told you about all but after they burned the bridge. They fired and our men fired back, but some was hurt. I did not see but heard them. We expected to have a bloody fight. I have not heard from home lately. I began to want to hear from them. I wrote the other day to know what is the matter. I wish you could come to see me. Charley has gone home; he could not stand it. I said I was well, but I have a bad cold by sleeping out last Saturday night without any blankets or overcoats. We expected to have a fight, so they let us take off our knapsacks and put them in a house. So when we got there we did not fight and could not go back after them, for it was nearly night, so we had to sleep on the ground all night without anything over us. The boys is all well and should like to go home. Certainly, but I expect we should get home until the war is over, but I don’t think they can stand much longer for they run from every place it seems. I shall stop. Write and let me see all the is going on.

The same old Ed Burke
To G. W. Burke


Norfolk
May 18, 1862

Dear Nellie,
I received your letter and was truly glad to hear from you. I am well except, a bad cold. We are at Norfolk now living in town. We started for Norfolk last Frida, was a week ago and marched on to their breast works and put up for the night. Sunday afternoon we started for Norfolk and we are here yet. We are gay and happy. There is people here thought we had horns. There is nothing new here only we have taken Norfolk without a man killed.
This is a splendid place and large to. I have not heard from home lately, so I wrote the other day. I would like to see you all certain, but I shall not get home soon, but we have gay old times here. The people don’t like us much. The girls don’t like the Yankees some. Do write and let me know all the news.
I am the same old Ed Burke, don’t care for no Rebels.

Nellie Burke.