7th Michigan Infantry - Wounded at Antietam

Item LTR-10596

Description

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


Camp Benton
Post Pocahontas

February 27th 1862

Dear Sister Lizzie,

I am now writing and paying up all my debts, or at least trying to do so. I received a letter from Jennie and was very glad to receive a letter from her. It is the first one you know. I have written her two but can’t hear if she has received either. Can you tell me if I have been quite anxious for an opportunity to see my Maw for a few days. Yes, ever since you wrote of her anxiety for me. I am very sorry she feels so. She ought not to. For I have always written everything very flattering concerning my own health and my last letter to her (a few days ago) I told her I was very well and weighed 161 exact. Won’t that cheer her up some? You must never write a single word to her that will depress her in the least. For she is getting old and thinks a great deal of me. If she was, as they were two months ago, I think I would try and get a furlough. But the time of the year is bringing exciting events upon our country and have every soldier must hold himself in readiness to do his part in the great drama now already commenced. Lizzie, I fear the next few months will be forever remembered for its bloodshed. They will make dark pages for our American History and since we are in them and never will be read by us with pride. Jennie stated you were pretty near or might be homesick. You should not get that disease. I don’t know what it is. Don’t want to either. Think I might easily if I would allow myself to indulge in such a prospect.

I guess you would like to know how I am situated. Well, you have seen log houses I know. I live in one nearly as large as our old kitchen with 20 others. Most of them are larger than myself. So, you can imagine how much room we have for any sleeping places. Just think of yourself in a store where shelves are placed across one side of the room and along one side and you will see our bunks. Only gives us room to crawl in between the shelves and rest on a board to keep us from rolling off. Our place for sleeping aren’t, I feel, one or two sleep in each. My bedfellow’s name is S. Geer and old about 40, red hair and whiskers and a married man too. And so of course treats me like an only son. Well Liz, he does think a great deal of me and when I sit down to talk with him, will brighten up by a little effort on my part and breaks out into a hearty laugh. Should I be separated from him, I have no doubts he would feel as though his family was broken. So much for my mate. A little more. He is an interesting man. I am now sitting on a bench (same as a school bench, only kind a slivery – have to be very careful and not slide along on it). One by extending along the seat, other one, careful, it should be touching the ground. Portfolio upon my horizontal, locomotion leg – back seating against a post. Chicory wood blazing and making a nice fire in the fireplace and etc.. All the time I’ve been writing and now hear very heavy cannonading is going on in the direction of Leesburg, across the river. I don’t know what it means. But General Banks has crossed at the Point of Rocks a few miles above here with most of his Division and it may be that he is coming down upon that place. I think we will leave here in a few days and I think we may move, libel to any hour (night or day). I have plenty of clothing, pair of boots, to march in the mud with everything, comfortable as need be.

28th. Last night I was detailed to go to the river to help load a boat in the Canal with tent to take up to Harpers Ferry, for the soldiers that left. This was a few days since. Got back to Camp at midnight. Then stirred up the coals in the fireplace, warmed myself thoroughly and hopped into the bunk and soon was asleep.

Today the regiment was mustered for pay. Will get it in two or three weeks. You have probably heard from home that Ellen Barton is dead. Died a Christian, I think, fulfilling the purpose of life. How timely Lizzie, was her conversion a few months before. She was unfit, for such a change, now all is well with her. Let us be ready when our time shall come.

Officers last night that a battle would come off this afternoon, not far from Harpers Ferry.

Tell Jennie I’m very glad to hear directly from her. Hope she will write again.

Love to all. Tell Ransome I’m very glad to get his papers.

Affectionately your brother,

Hamilton