6th Maine Infantry - NEW

Item LTR-10824

Description

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


Camp Lyon
August 19, 1861
6^th Maine Regiment
 
Dear Brother,
 
It’s with great pleasure that I take my pen in hand to write these few lines to you for to let you know that I am well at present and hoping that these few lines will find you the same.  Dear brother I received your letter this very day and was very glad to hear from you.  I was looking out for a letter this long time.  This is the third that I received from you and two from Miss Campbell.  I wrote five or six to you like wise sent you a Washington paper last Friday in Mr. Weston care.  I wrote to Miss Campbell three times.  She writes to me to direct in Mr. Mercan care so I direct two and she received two for certain.  I wrote to her about nine days ago and didn’t get no answer yet.
 
I can tell you some things about the war’s affairs, there is going to be a general movement.  We have as much as we can do to build batteries and trenches.  Company F, we went on picket guard Sunday morning and come home Monday.  We had a very duty night last week, the 2^nd Vermont Regiment came in camp with us as we had a grand review by General McClellan, Commander of the Potomac Forces.  6^th Maine, 3^rd Vermont, 2^nd Vermont and 33^rd New York was on our camp ground.  We was drawn up in line of battle and had three bands.
 
It was very interesting.  I had a sight at Prince Napolean and his mother.  They drew lots today to see which regiment would go to Great Falls.  The 2^nd Vermont started, they numbered 700 men with six pieces, 40 pounder and 40 cavalry.  They are gone for seven days and we will take their place.  In our turn, we are about fifteen miles from Manassas.  Our men are busy cutting down trees all along the Potomac so that the Rebels can’t erect no batteries.
 
Negroes came to Washington today from Manassas and say that Manassas is in our hand as the Rebels are all gone out.  General orders today from general Scott, every man to be ready at one minute calls as the Rebels are advancing on Washington and expect an attack this week.  Every volunteer whether equipped or not has to come forward immediately.  
 
We have 60 more pieces cannon arriving here Saturday night to protect Chain Bridge.  We lost about twelve men in our regiment.  All ready about 9 men was shot so that they had to go home.  Yesterday two men lost their two right fingers, they shot them off while on guard.
 
I am well and never was in better health and I am learning military drill and will be fit for anything soon.  
 
Our captain is one of the best men that I ever was with.  Twenty of us is sword to protect one another on the field of battle.   If any of us gets wounded, the others is to carry him off.  We are bound to go through smoke and fire for our captain.
 
 If the Lord will permit will permit for me to get home, I will do very well.  I will have upwards of three hundred dollars if we go home in six months.  I will send you all my money as I get it.  I ain’t drink one glass of liquor since I ‘ve been here and I intend to keep.  So I want you to write as soon as you get this.  Tell Miss Campbell that she must not blame me if she didn’t get any word from me.  For the letter must have gone astray.  I will write tomorrow.
 
My best respects to her and all inquiring friends.
 
Amos Downing
 
Direct as usual
Same as the others.