58th Pennsylvania Infantry

Item LTR-10619

Description

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


Chapin’s Farm, Virginia

January 9th 1865

Friend Sylvester,

Your favor of the 2nd ult. came to hand last night and was much pleased to hear that you were well, etc..

There is considerable cannonading going on – on our left today. Don’t know what it means, but suppose likely they are having a little Fourth of July over there. They frequently do down here in Virginia and the noise of it don’t surprise us any.

It has been very quiet here since “Dutch Gap” was blown up, until today. The Dutch Gap arrangement seems to be a fizzle so they will have to try some other point. It seems to me that about all of Butler’s arrangements have turned out to be fizzles. At least for the last year. We have seen several trials of his general ship in this part of the country and none of them have seemed to be of much benefit to the country. For instance, his attack in Drewry’s Bluff last spring and the Dutch Gap Canal, but his last blunder I think is the worst. For according to all accounts, he might of taken Fort Fisher with very little loss and perhaps Wilmington and the question naturally arises, “Why didn’t he do it?”

The news in other parts of the country seems to be very encouraging. It begins to look as though there was a possibility of peace in the course of a year or so at least. Stoneman must of made a great rattle among the pots and kettles in Western Virginia and Thomas, I notice, is getting ready to hit some rebel community. Perhaps that gentleman call Hood will receive his compliments a second time. Hope if he starts after him a second time, he will wipe him out altogether and say no more about it.

I notice too, that Sherman is having good success in making Union people down there in Georgia. I think that the inhabitants of Savannah are really sensible in doing as they have done for this Rebellion, must be put down and the sooner they give it up the better it will be for them.

Eugene Holmes was over to our camp a few evenings since. He seems to be in a very good condition. But he says that they are kept pretty busy, drilling or doing some kind of duty. And I should think likely that was the case for this is the second time that he has been here to see me and they have been here a long time now.

I was out a few days ago to see a couple of deserters shot. I never witnessed a thing of that kind before. And I did not want to go then, but the regiment was called out and of course, I had to go along with them. It was no pleasing sight. And I never want to be present on another occasion of that kind. It is bad enough to see men shot down in battle. But to see men seated upon their coffins and shot. It looks to me too much like murder.

You spoke of the oil question being agitated once more. Hope they will have good success in finding what they are boring for. But I don’t know what would become of Bradford if they should happen to find oil there. In case they should, I should think that the railroad would have plenty of business without going to Lafayette.

You talk to me about a “quiet old bachelor’s life,” etc. in your last. Now then, do you think that you could take comfort and enjoy yourself without a, well, you know what I mean. Somebody to fix up your shirt collar Sunday mornings just before you start to meeting.

Now take my advice, do not wait for me to make a selection. For I have made none yet. You just take the next one you can find in the flock and let it go at that. I shall expect to hear from you soon.

My regards to Robert D. Golier and all friends and acquaintances.

Very truly,

F. W. Davis
1st Lieutenant
Company E
58th Pennsylvania Volunteers