8th Connecticut Infantry - Wounded Twice

Item LTR-168

Description

4 page ALS written by Edward D. Carpenter of the 8th Connecticut Infantry. He was wounded at Walthall Junction, VA and Fort Harrison, VA:

Suffolk, VA
March 25th 1863

Mr. Stowe,

Having time I thought I could not better improve it than in writing a few lines to you. I am well and hope this will find you and yours the same. We had orders read on dress parade tonight, that we were under General Burnsides’ command. General Parks is in command of the Corps. One Division is to stay at Newport News and the others are going away. Where I do not know. Suffolk is a very old looking town. Most of the houses are small and low. I should judge there were some twenty thousand troops in and around the town. This place is pretty well fortified. There is about two miles of breastworks besides a half a dozen earthen forts mounting heavy guns. There are three or four Regiments of “Conscripts”, drafted nine months men, from the State of Pennsylvania. But I think they will not stand fire very well. Some of them got as high as a thousand dollars for nine months as a substitute.

The rebs are in a small force this side of the Black Water and our Cavalry and Light Artillery have had several skirmishes with them in which our men got the worst of it. As they have the advantage of ground and are entrenched. We are quartered in shelter tents but expect to get larger ones before long.

We have been in the U.S. Service eighteen months today and have seen some pretty hard times. I have seen men offer one dollar for six hard breads and could not get them at that. At one time, we had four hard tacks given out for three days rations and no meat. But that was on the march. We fare better in Camp.

How are Mr. Ottey’s folks?
How does Clinton and Emily prosper?
How is Mrs. Stows and the old lady’s health? Also old Mr. Phelon’s folks?
It is getting late and I shall have to close but do not forget to write to
Your Friend,

E. D. Carpenter

Direct to:
Company C
8th Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers
2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 9th Army Corps
Suffolk, VA