39th Illinois Infantry

Item LTR-10280

Description

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


Headquarters Camp in the field near
New Bottom Church, Virginia

Sunday, June 26th 1864

Dear Wife,

For the last week or since the date of my last letter (about the 19th inst.) I have been with the regiment away from camp, returning last eve, dirty and weary. My wound didn’t lay me up long. For when the regiment received marching orders, I was with them. About 5 p.m. on Monday, we were ordered to “fall in” taking up our line march to the rear in this instance. As soon as it was know that we was going to the rear, it became quite evident that it was hailed with pleasure by the noise in the regiment – talking, hollering, etc.. The change was enjoyed with rest. We had got tired of going to the front all of the time, even if it shouldn’t be very easy.

Well, a short account of the week’s work will be as interesting as most anything else I can write. I’ve passed over but a short piece of road that we used in coming out here. Striking further to the north reaching the river. At one point above where we landed in the first instance.

The weather is very warm and the roads more than dusty and but a little air stirring. But after halting a few times, we finally reached the river. On the march, we had avoided the main road in order to conceal our movements, trampling the wheat, oats and cornfields, just the same as it was as the leaves of the woods. Reaching the river, we halted and were allowed to rest. But we weren’t ordered to “fall in” till morning. While we lay resting, I could hear the engineers building the pontoon bridge across the river. Which was completed about daylight, taking only a couple of hours to do the job. In the morning, we marched across. When we began to get an idea of what the expedition meant. For sitting down in the shade, I commenced to take a survey of the ground and the views up and down the river. The object it seems of our going, together with some 5 or 6 other regiments was to guard the building of fortifications and doing picket duty. The land lies high just here and has been used by the rebels in a former campaign to harass our boats on the river (James). There are several very fine views both up and down the river. The country is just rolling or uneven enough to not be monotonous. There is groups of building and sites where there has been more, but have been burnt for self-protection. While we were here, one of the men of the 10th Connecticut was digging for worms, for bait (he was fishing). He pulled away an old box near the ruins of an old house and about 6 inches below the surface, he struck an old cooking pot that had about $1,000 in it. He was not very wise about it. As he let the “boys” know it and of course there was a general scramble for it. (Some gold, Spanish and American silver).

I got a ½ dollar of it as a trophy. After we had been there about two days, I was detailed to take command of a detachment of 75 men. We went down to the pontoon bridge, took some boats and landed on the same bank of the river about a ½ mile below. We done picket duty and had a very good time. Except that for the 48 hours that we were there, the men had no rations. This, they growled about considerably. But then they had plenty of cherries and someone shot a grouse.

The march back to camp was terribly sever. It was in the middle of the day, sweltering hot and so dusty. Many of them gave out. My eyes ache yet from the effect of it. On the “picket line” was an old oak tree which was a giant surely. About 5 of the largest on the old farm at home would be about a fair size for this one, if they were joined. He was a monarch. There are many more just like it through this section. This ground was a part of a plantation belonging to Major Jones, CSA, who had some 800 slaves on this and adjoining farm. Wheat, oats, and corn will come to naught though.

During the last week, I have received two letters, one dated 17th inst., which I received first and one dated June 6th, which I got the next day. Which I am much obliged for.

You need not be afraid of writing too much. I received a letter from George C. Merrill this last week. Also some papers addressed by yourself and Elisa A. the stamps were good. It is a great consolation to hear that the little boys are doing so well. I feel that you are getting along admirably.

There has been some fighting in the neighborhood of Petersburg this last week. But not with very permanent results. More than you are advised of. This morning there is sounds of distant cannon in a direction that would seem to indicate that the Rebs were giving back.

Our regiment is getting in a pretty bad way. We have lost so many men (800) and so many officers that two or three camps are commanded by sergeants and corporals, that it seems they can’t stand up at all if they think the enemy is any stronger. It is a trying position for a captain to command a regiment unless he has remarkable ability as a soldier. I will enclose you 50 of CSA currency that was taken off the lieutenant on the 20th of May. (I got it second hand). I would like to send the ½ dollar but it will be inconvenient. Aaron Douglass arrived here this last week. He looks pretty well. Smith is quite sick. John Burdick wrote that letter. He hasn’t done much duty since we have been here. But is around. The Lake County boys are generally pretty well. You can get the news quicker than my mail, of the operations of the army.

Wishing you all kinds of happiness. I remain,

Yours as ever,

R. S. Botsford
Lieutenant
39th Illinois Veteran Volunteers