23rd Pennsylvania Infantry - Birney's Zouaves

Item LTR-10667

Description

3 Original Civil War soldier's letters. 10 pages, written in period ink & pen.

Letter #1
Fort Worth
December 26, 1861

Dear Mother,

I received your letter yesterday week. I ain’t got the box yet for the sutler won’t fetch them from Alexandria. So, you send the bill of account and I will go and get it.

We had a Merry Christmas down here. The officers had a ball in the Burn’s property. They had turkey and chicken and the best to drink. I was in there till four o’clock this morning. So, you can guess what a time we had and they want us to drill and we won’t drill. All of the officers was well in for it. We expect to get paid soon and I will send more money home. One of the boys made a fire in the stove and the tent is full of smoke. And the tears is running down my face like rain. So, I will bring my letter to a close. No more at present.

Remain your son,

William B. Smith

Direct your letter as before.


Letter #2
Fort Worth
[December] 29th 1861

Dear Parents,

I now take pen in hand to write a few lines to you after a long time. You must not get angry at me for not writing. As we have been expecting to move and every day brings different orders. But they do not amount to anything yet. But think God I still keep in good health and the majority of our company likewise all the regiment. I suppose that you have heard of that Grand Review that we had on Bailey’s Cross Roads just under Munson Hall. It was a grand sight to see. Eighty thousand men in uniform and marching to the music. Then to see our Generals and the President raise their hats to salute his men. Then you should have heard the cannon roar and the men cheering their noble commander. There is not one in the whole army that does not love our dear home and wouldn’t lay down their lives for her. So I think I have told you all about that.

I had a letter from Jan last week and he was well. Dear Mother and Father, you will find that I have enclosed one 5 dollar and when you receive it, you must write back and I will send more. Another 5 and so on until you get 15 dollars. I should have sent it by Lieutenant Knight, but the money is gone before I came off picket. I will send my likeness the same time as I send the letter. So you can look out for it.

I am glad that my brother has arrived safe home and I hope he is in good spirits. I should like to see you all for a short time, then return until the war was at an end. All is just around at present. Likewise on the outpost. So now I must conclude with my everlasting love to Father and Mother and brothers and all enquiring friends. So no more at present.

From your affectionate Son,

W. B. Smith

P. S. Read and write as soon as you get it, as I want you to have the money.


Letter #3
Mechanicsville near Richmond

June 10th 1862

Dear Parents,

I now take the opportunity to write you a few lines hoping they will find you all well. As I am happy to say that I am in good health at present. We are now encamped in the small village of Mechanicsville, 5 miles from Richmond. It has been a very nice place. But the last battle has destroyed all the houses. They are riddled by our cannons. There is a blacksmith and one wheelwright shop and several very nice farms. But all are deserted. They all left day before the fight. There is one family that moved into another house in the rear. We go to guard their house and they complain very much of being short of provisions. If you want a pie, they will charge you 50 cents and for a corn cake 10 cents. We are doing picket duty on the banks of the Chickahominy. The Rebels have one side and we the other. We came in last night. One of our fellows exchanged papers with them. They do not try to shoot pickets. Since they left Yorktown, two of their men came over to us on Sunday. One was a lieutenant. They say that if General McClellan waits one month, he can take Richmond without firing a gun. As they are almost starved out. They said that all that they was allowed was 18 ounces of corn meal and half a pound of pork when they go. But they still continue to throw up breastworks. We can see them at work. We see them bury a great many of their dead yesterday. They lose must have been very great. Some of our men going after ration, found 4 Rebels wounded. Ever since last Sunday, they think they will die. There isn’t any quantity of rain in this part of the country. Though it is a very pleasant part. Brother, Jim was in the battle but I see by the report that only 2 out of his company were hurt. I have not seen him nor heard from him this long time. I have wrote to him. I may come across him some of these days. My post on picket was on the bridge. The rebels cut one side and let it fall. But we put planks across and can walk over. Our artillery is ready. Hammered at all times, so if they let go, we are ready for them. Our regiments get under arms at 3 o’clock and stand until daylight. So that they cannot come at unnecessarily on us.

I am very happy to hear that Edison has got married. I should be happy to see my sister and I hope that Edison may live long enough to enjoy the comfort of a married life and be happy together. There is not thinking of marrying around here. It is all fighting and getting the best of our enemy. When that is done, then will be the time to get married. Perhaps I may fetch a wife with me. Then you will look. There must be a great many on the lookout at home, by the quantity of men that is away.

I received the paper and cake before we went on picket last week. I have sent 15 dollars the same way as before and I hope you will receive it safe. There is a great many men taken sick the last few weeks. But our regiment is very fortunate. We lost two men since we left West Point. There is a great many getting sick for a day or two. Then they get over it. Again, there is some at the White House Hospital and some have rejoined us again. But our regiment is very small compared with the rest. Mr. Martin wrote the same time as you wrote mine. So now I think I have told you all at present. So now I must conclude with my very best love to you and Edwin and his wife and to all enquiring friends. So no more at present.

From your dutiful son,

W. B. Smith

Please do write soon. Goodbye and God Bless you all. I expect the letter you received next from me will be in Richmond. Hurrah for our Union and down with Secesh forever.