128th Pennsylvania Infantry - NEW

Item LTR-11916

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 3 pages, written in period ink.

Camp 128th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers
Stafford Courthouse, Virginia
March 22nd, 1863
 
My dear sister Mary,
 
It is a cold, stormy day out. The wind goes howling over the hills, and the rain keeps pattering on the tent, making it sound gloomy to me today.
 
Lieutenant and Captain Shoemaker are sitting before the fire reading, and I am just fine of a way to miss the good effects of it. Emily's letter reached me last night, cheering me up considerably, as I have been unwell from the last week, but now I think I am getting better.
 
The news of Susie Wade's death surprised me very much, as I never dreamed of such a thing. I'm very sorry, but nothing is so uncertain as life.
 
Colonel Smith, I am happy to inform you, has exceeded in obtaining his commission as lieutenant colonel of the 128th, and all of the other officers who have been lately promoted have received theirs also. Day before yesterday, General Joseph Hooker reviewed our corps, but as I was very unwell at the time, I did not go out to see him. He is about 60 years of age, has gray hair, a very red face, and about 5'8" or 5'9" inches high, and not very stout.
 
I wish you could see our lieutenant colonel. What a splendid show he makes in his new uniform! He is by far the handsomest-looking officer in the brigade, and the same as ever. My, but he has changed since he left Reading, much manlier and not spoiled at all by the service.
 
You asked me whether I use tobacco. I do, but for the last week or two, I have not, for it turned against me since I have been sick. But I am happy to tell you that I have never been drunk, and it will be many a day before you ever hear anyone say that they saw Joe Richards drunk. Though once, since I was out, I was so very low-spirited that I would have got drunk if I could have got the liquor. I never felt as I did then, and I hope I never will have such a feeling again.
 
I am so glad to hear that Father is so much better as to be up. Everything seems to be progressing finally in the army, and from what I hear, Joseph Hooker intends to take the city of Fredericksburg and fortifications behind it. I say intends taking it.
 
I am sure he will succeed if Vicksburg should only happen to be taken first. Most of all, the officers in this regiment seem to think we will have one more fight before the regiment goes home.
 
What do you think of it? I know that all the delays them is that the roads are still impossible, though they are every aspect of them drying up now, as the weather cannot possibly continue this way long.
 
I have seen P.E. Fellows from the 127th Regiment and Irwin Boas from Reading.
 
He lives next to Dr. McCurdy's. He is a drummer and a favorite of Colonel Jennings. What makes you think I am so bad out here, Molly? Why do you ask so very particularly about the 127th Regiment?
 
I believe they are encamped about one mile this side of Falmouth on the Rappahannock. The 93rd Regiment, the one Frank Keller was attached to, lies seven or eight miles from here. Dick Rogers, the fellow who writes for the journal, is a captain in the same regiment. He was here on a visit lately. Most all of the fellows from Reading are encamped within 10 miles around here, but I have even very few of them, as a fellow, is not allowed to go far from camp without a pass from General Slocum.
Peter Hausa received a box from home today. Safe, I believe. I wish I was right, well, that I would eat now.
 
I feel ravenous, but don't dare to eat anything until I get entirely well. Please ask Ed Smith to find out in what regiment George Meigs' brother is in, and the company. And if I should ever come across the regiment, I would find him out and have a talk with him.
 
Seems to me, Redding is representative all through this army. I don't believe there is a division in Hooker's hold army that hasn't at least one man from Berks in it. What do the people of Berks say about the nine months men and their coming home? Do they seem to think they ought to do, stay out longer, or let the drafted men that are to be come out and let them take our places?
 
Doc Harper obtained a 10-day furlough to go to New York to purchase a sword, sash and belt, saddle and bridle for the colonel. The boys have collected $600 for the purpose of making him a present of the above. There will be a big time when it's presented.
 
I wish the time was up. I am getting kind of tired of the service, but I guess that's because I'm not altogether well.
 
I heard from Jim Mulholland lately. He reports everything going on in Redding as of old, but I will have to stop now, for I am getting tired.
 
Goodbye. Give my love to all the family, very particularly to Father. 
 
Please write more often to your affectionate brother, 
 
Joe Richards
Company A, 128th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers
Washington DC