10th New Hampshire Infantry - NEW
Item LTR-10806Description
Original Civil War soldier's letter. 6 pages, written in period ink.
Fort Halleck near Suffolk, Virginia
May 10, 1863
My Dear Wife,
I received your kind favor of the 5th inst. day before yesterday and should have written you yesterday. But I had a large wash to do. I washed my blanket and two shirts, one pair of drawers. And then after I got them done, I washed a shirt and a pair of pants for Mr. Brown and got a quarter of a dollar for it besides. I volunteered my service to do police work all the forenoon (i.e.) I leveled up the ground around our quarters which had been made uneven by digging up the dirt in a hurry to fill sandbags to put on the top or ramparts of the fort. It needed to be done and I took pity on the men and did it myself because they have to go out and chop all day every two or three days.
This is a very fine Sunday morning. I should like very much to be able to go to church today but I think I shall not be able to do so for I think that there is no service held in the City since the late trouble as the church houses are all turned into hospitals. The Catholics held a meeting here at the fort this morning but I did not go. I went once to their meeting and that is all I care to do.
We are now expecting to rejoin the regiment in a few days—perhaps tomorrow. Things are all quiet here now. The rebs have gone to reinforce Hooker who has had bud luck in his undertaking at Fredericksburg but according to last accounts, we may still be hopeful of final success. But I greatly fear for the result. According to accounts, the slaughter in his late battles was far greater than in the battle of Burnside’s. Terrible to think of. But I believe that [even] if we do get whipped there this time, we shall not give up & we shall finally triumph. But it will put back the war very much.
Our regiment has been taken out of the 1st Brigade and put into the 3rd. So for a while you may direct your letters as usual, only add 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 9th Army Corps. We are in the same brigade with the 13th [New Hampshire]. I think I shall visit the 13th this afternoon and perhaps have another good sing with Charles Kittredge and others. We do not know yet whether we shall or not go to Kentucky.
When Mr. Eaton gets home, you may hand him that letter & let him do as he sees fit with it. I notice in the Telegraph a notice of Mr. Prescott’s Concert. How I should like to be there to hear and enjoy it and participate in it. I wrote to Calvin and Mother a few days ago. Also, to Harvey and Sergeant. I received letters from Harvey and Calvin both on the same day. One of them I sent to you (Harvey’s). Calvin’s health is good. Weighs 200. Mr. Davis is very kind to send you The Watchman gratis. I wrote William since I wrote you last. I received all the papers you sent. Flora’s not excepted. Also, three stamps and some envelopes, all of which were welcome, thrice welcome.
It seems good to have it still and quiet here once more but the Lord only knows how long it will continue. But I hope the enemy will trouble us no more here. But this place is of great value to them and they may try their luck again here but I think they will succeed just about as well as they did before.
Esther Maria, I got your letter. I am glad to see so much improvement in your writing. Still keep trying to do as well as you can when you write at school. Take particular notice how the letters are formed and be constantly on your guard to see that you hold your pen as the teacher directs and be careful to not hold your pen too tight but hold it very loose for without this habit, it is impossible to write well or easy. I am glad to know that you are interested in your studies. I hope you will remember that an education is of more worth than any other earthly thing.
Flora, I got your little paper and was glad to do so. I like not only the reading but the music. You know I am fond of music and I believe you are & I hope you will learn all you can of music as well as of your books at school. I must hurry up and close for the mail is going out soon. Be a good girl and send me something whenever you can & I hope I shall be spared to come home one of these days to live with you again. But we must be patient and wait God’s own time. Very respectfully yours.
From your soldier husband & father,
I. C. Richardson
P. S. After writing the first part of this letter, I thought I would take a stroll up to the 6th Massachusetts. I found Mr. Knight well & in good spirits, but he did not know me. But I made him know me & he made me stop to dinner. He has excellent quarters & tiptop fare. He cooks for the Colonel. I came across Charles Perkins on my way there and he went with me up to see a friend—one Mr. Keith. I had for my dinner fried ham and eggs, and plum pudding and potatoes and coffee.
The Rebs have all left and our troops are leaving now as fast as the cars can carry them off. Fifty-three cars full have gone today and an empty train of thirty-six cars has just gone up after more. It is reported they are going to Norfolk, thence up the James River. It is currently reported (and I think it is so) that we are going soon to join or rejoin the 9thCorps in Kentucky. I think if we do, we shall get a healthier place. Mr. Knight sends his regards to all his friends in Nashua. Mr. Perkins is in the 17th Wisconsin Regiment. He got a paper from T. H. Richardson with some tobacco in it. I learn that our regiment had orders last night to go to our old camp near Falmouth but before they got started, the order was countermanded. But I think most likely that we shall go to Kentucky and if you don’t get letters as often as usual, you may think that it is because I am on a journey. If we go, we shall go in the cars. I understand that the 9th boys say it is a fine place there and they like it first rate.
It has been a very hot day today. The Captain is well. He stops with the regiment. Is overseeing the building of the forts. I hope Mr. Eaten will come here but I don’t think it likely that he will. It is getting near night and I will close for tonight. So, goodbye.
Good morning. We had a shower last night and storms this morning. I suppose you have heard that our regiment & company have been in a fight and got badly cut up. If so, I will relieve you of all anxiety for none of us have been in a battle or even skirmish at this place. One man, Sergeant [John A.] Hall of Company D, was wounded (it is said mortally) by a sharpshooter from the other side of the river while about his business at Battery Connecticut. I am well. Company K of our regiment did leave behind some 6 or 8 of their men one night when they were over the river. It is supposed they were taken prisoners.
I. C. Richardson