210th Pennsylvania Infantry - NEW

Item LTR-11914

Description

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

Camp near Fort Warren
October 22, 1864
 
Dear Brother,
 
I seat myself once again in order to write a few lines to you at home, that I am in the land amongst the living, yet as you would think if you could see a moving object in human form around here. At night, when the campfires are lit up, it looks like a great city for miles around.
 
I am well yet and in pretty good health, and feel, thanks to my maker, that it is as well with me as it is. I hope that he will ever watch over me until the end of time with me, and I hope that the same blessing and watchfulness may be with you all at home, that we may ever do our duty toward God and our fellow man.
 
Today is a cool and cloudy day. It has been fine, dry weather since the first Saturday when we came on the Weldon Road. We have been moving about from one place to another about all the time. We sometimes move a few miles and then put up our tents, and about the time we get them up, then we get orders to take them down and move off again to some other place. We don't know from one minute to another whether we will stay or go.
 
Last Monday, the 17th, we were ordered to pack up everything and marched about three miles out on the pickup line after night. That is our company that was the first of our picket due. We lay in front of the David House, the house the doorman has taken about nine or 10 days ago. It is burnt to the ground. The chimneys are standing yet where the Johnnies' sharpshooters lay to watch our pickets.
 
We were warned three days and nights, and then we were relieved and came into camp again where we are now. The last day there were some pretty short firing on both sides. Some of our men came very near to being hit, but as it is wise, we came off safe and sound.
 
We can hear the cannon war at Petersburg very plain about every day. We lay due south from there now. All through here is a forsaken country: the houses all burnt and fences. There is nothing in the fields but corn stubble about every field you see they had corn. The land is very level through here. And I haven't seen but one stone since I have been here. We can run or bayonets down on the ground at any place.
 
I received your letter yesterday morning of the 21st. I was glad to hear from you once again. It's been the second I've received from you since I left home. They come as good from a foreign country welcome, but not as often as I would like.
 
William, now I will tell you what I want. I want you to send me two or 12 postage stamps. They are hard to be got here.
 
As to Jonas Nieminger about the money, if he wants it yet, let him have it if he gives you a mortgage on the land. If he doesn't do that, why take government bonds or let some other good man have it? Only so it's safe.
 
I am so sorry to hear the way it happened with the horse that you didn't get him again, but so it is. It may be for the best, but I want you to be cautious how you manage that matter, because you know who you have to deal with. They may do us more damage than if you vax them too much. So, I think you had better drop it without you having very good proof in the present. I am sorry to hear that Brother Balkan had such bad luck.
 
If they drafted in Cherry, any that I am acquainted with, just let me know a few of them. I was glad to hear that you escaped the draft. I suppose some of the boys feel downhearted, that is Albany, but I tell them to come on. They will be received with cheers, for the old soldiers are glad to see the boys come in here.
 
We had preaching last Sunday in camp by Mr. Potts. He is a private in our company. He is from Muncie, a Methodist preacher by trade; he is a smart, fine man. His subject was the power of prayer.
 
Tell J. North I was glad to hear that he escaped the draft, and wish him luck hereafter. I must quit for the present, for the hour for parade drill is here.
 
Goodbye for the present. May the blessing of God ever be with us all. Amen.
 
Direct as before:
Washington DC
Fifth Corps
210th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers
Company G
In care of Captain Palmer
 
Isaiah Zaner to William Zaner. 
 
My love to all inquiring friends.