38th Massachusetts Infantry

Item LTR-10483

Description

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


September 10th 1862

Powhatan, Baltimore County, Maryland

Dear Parents,

I take this opportunity to write you a few lines to let you know that we are, we are all well and hope this will find you all the same. I received your letter on the 6th. I was glad to hear that you were all well. I see by George’s letter that he was well. I was glad to hear that he was. We left Camp Belanger yesterday. We marched 21 miles with a knapsack weighting 80 pounds, a haversack and cartridge box with 40 rounds of cartridges, after 11o’clock. But we stood it. We are now within 15 miles of Old Stonewall Jackson’s Forces. A man was there yesterday who said that they came from Jackson’s Army. He says Jackson’s men are ragged and shoeless. He says Jackson has 160,000 men.

Our pickets yesterday came to a place where the Rebel Pickets were the night before. General Burnside is close by us with his forces. We are close by a river guarding a bridge to stop the Rebels if they attempt to cross into Maryland. We have a Regiment of Artillery and one of Cavalry close by if the Rebels attempt to cross. They will get their bottoms warmed. The Governor of this state has called out all of the able-bodied men in the state to drill. They were all out yesterday with cannon loaded in the middle of the street, ready to give the rebels fits if they attempted to take the city. We have 3 forts close by the city. The city will be burned if the Rebels attempt to take it.

Joseph received a letter from Olivia yesterday with their likeness. I expect we will go back to Camp Berger again soon. The Union people of Baltimore say they feel safer with Massachusetts Troops than they do with any other. I see by George’s letter that the wants me to send him some clothes. I will let you have money to get them with. You may call on Mr. Cushman for 10 dollars. Get a pair of boots, a pair of 8’s for they are better than shoes, get a pair worth 3.50, a pair of shirts worth 3.50, something like mine. They are the best – buy the cloth and make them if you have to bother to do it. Get a pair of pants worth about 2.50, not too thin, send hi a testament and some papers. I will get Mr. Cushman to let you have the apples. I am going to write to him about it. I am going to write to Lucy. I shall send the letter to South Abington. Please send it to her. Send George’s things as soon as possible.

From your affectionate Son,

Edwin Ripley