12th Massachusetts Infantry

Item LTR-10701

Description

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


Camp of 12th Massachusetts Volunteers
Near Lovettsville, Virginia

October 31st 1862

Dear Wife,

We have crossed once more to Virginia and perhaps before another letter reaches you will have been in another fight. And then again, we may not see another one this winter. We are having the vacant officer filled in our regiment. My Lieutenant Clark has been promoted to a Captain and my orderly sergeant last promoted to Second Lieutenant. My first I did not like very well. So, I helped get him promoted for the sake of getting rid of him. I never have not like any of my men and get along first rate. I am still acting Major but do not receive any extra pay for it. I have a horse to ride when on the march. I expect Captain Allen will be back soon as he has been promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. I received one letter from you and one from Jan and one from Edwin today. I expect we shall push on today for the enemy. Whether we shall find them remains to be seen. What is to be done, must be done quick. For it will be winter soon and it is cold right now.

I don’t see how those officers get leaves of absence. I suppose it is because they are rationed out in North Carolina where nothing to do. It is important to get home from here. It is hard work for a man to get a leave of absence if he is wounded. Captain Allen could not get a leave of absence and went home on his own responsibility. And I do not blame him. We must not speak of it.

I have had considerable writing to do of late. Making out Pay Rolls. I received that two dollar which you sent. My thanks for it as I wanted it to pay for washing some clothes.

Did you ever get a letter with nine pence in it? It was dated 1776. I have a large like dollar. I am going to send home sometime. It was given to me. I have been tempted to spend it some time. But I thought I would send it home to the children.

God bless the little dears. How much I would like to see them. If I can I shall come home this winter to see my darling wife and child.

Give my regards to all inquiring friends.

Faithfully yours,

Benjamin F. Cook