6th & 26th Massachusetts Infantry

Item LTR-10431

Description

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


Camp near Relay House

May 30, 1861

Dar Brother,

I take this opportunity to inscribe a few lines to you. I am now at the Depot of this station on guard. We have to search every train that goes past for Harper’s Ferry to see that no provisions or munitions of war get to Jeff Davis troops there. I thought that we should have some fun here last night. I was on picket guard that was thrown out about three miles from here towards Harper’s Ferry. Out duty was to stop every train coming from that place and examine it to see that no enemy came upon us in the night. The sergeant of the guard who was stationed at the out post was to swing a lantern on the approach of a train. If it did not stop, the guard was to fire upon it. If that did not fetch them too, we were to place obstacles upon the track and throw them off the track.

About 12 ¼ a train was heard. When it came along it did not stop when signaled at. Then four of us, myself among the number, fired two shots, took effect in the engine and two in the train. This fetched them up with a round turn. We searched the train but found nothing but two old darkeys and an old woman, who was found under the seat frightened almost to death. One of the balls or a splinter struck the engineer on the nose, taking off a piece about as big as a three-cent piece. He will be careful how he undertakes to run by Uncle Sam’s men again.

There is no news to write. Write as soon as you receive this. My love to all the folks.

From your brother,

C. H. Richardson

To L. S. Richardson