56th New York Infantry

Item LTR-11551

Description

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


Camp of the 56^th New York State Volunteers
 
July 14^th 1862
 
Dear Uncle,
 
Today finds us encamped about ¼ of a mile from the place where we were when I wrote before.  But it is not as I stated near City Point.  But eight or ten miles below and near Harrison’s Landing.  City Point is on the opposite side of the [James] River.  Our pickets is ¾ of a mile from here but where the rebels are, I do not know.  They don’t show themselves much.
 
Last week, one of their sergeants came over this way and tried to play smart on our picket.  He came up to their post and told them that he had orders to draw them in.  his idea was to get them over inside of the rebel lines.  But our fellows were too wide awake for him and in the place of going with him.  They made him come with them up to our General [John J.] Peck’s headquarters, where he was made a prisoner.
 
Last Wednesday, they came over with a flag of truce about two miles to the right of us and report says that it was to notify us to leave in six days.  The time is nearly up but instead of obeying Old Jeff’s orders, we have been making preparations to stay until the hot weather is over.  By that time, I believe, we will have sufficient force here to go on up to Richmond.
 
I have seen by the papers that the President has called for more troops.  That’s what he ought to have done a year ago.  If he had, I believe that this war would have been ended before this time.  I have not heard from Charley since they took him from here.  If any of you have, let me know.  I was over to the 18^th [New York Infantry] yesterday.  The boys had heard from one of their wounded.  He was at Annapolis.  The regiment is about two miles from us.  The Matteawan boys that are there were all well.  Johnny Jaycot sends his respects to you.  I have seen quite a number of the Matteawan boys since we came here.  I suppose you remember Charley Hedges.  He had his head taken off with a cannon ball about two weeks ago.
 
I am getting tired of writing.  It is so awful hot here today.  Those postage stamps that you sent are all used up and I wish you would send me twenty-five more and two dollars in money.  The ten that I was to save is all gone – two of it I lost. The other 8 I spent.  I have been sick quite a good deal since we got paid and could not eat the rations we get.  So, I had to buy the most that I have eaten.  Since we fell back from Fair Oaks, I have lost about twenty pounds.  But I think I am picking up now again.  My appetite is coming to me.  I can’t think of any more at present.
 
Give my love to all friends and accept a share yourself.
 
From your nephew,
 
J. H. Van Vort
 
P. S. Write soon and after directing your letter to me, Company A, put on another envelope and direct to Colonel C. H. [Charles Henry] Van Wyck, M. C., 56^th New York State Volunteers, Washington, DC.
 
You need not put on any postage stamp.  A great many of the letters that are sent to us go to the other regiments and the Colonel told us to have our letters directed in this way so that they would come safer and reach us quicker.  He says if the Post Master asks if there is another letter inside, tell him it is none of his business.  I heard from Binghamton.  The folks there are all well.  [George M.] Sullivan and [George] Moore send their respects to you.  So does [Alexander] Shepard.  They are all well.