8th Connecticut Infantry - Killed at Antietam

Item LTR-183

Description

Original Civil War letter, 4 pages in period ink:

Newberne June 6th 1862

Dear Friend,

Yours of the 27th inst was duly received and read with much interest. I learned more of the victories and success of our forces then I have gathered from any other source and I can assure you every victory encourages the heart of the soldier greatly. Our division was reviewed by General Burnside and staff at Newberne last week and today we were to have a brigade drill but the rain prevented it. It appears by the report at present that Banks’ retreat was only a ruse to draw the rebels into a trap which succeeded admirably. There is a report here this morning that there was a battle at Richmond last Saturday but a storm coming on caused a cessation of hostilities. We have heard no further particulars. Our encampment here is the pleasantest in the division and under the strict security rules which are now adopted, I think it can not fail to be as healthy as any other in this region. The surgeon has ordered whisky and quinine to be dealt out each day to the men to keep off intermittent fever so prevalent in these latitudes. We have has a slight change in the program of affairs here at camp for a few days past. Reveille at 5 A.M., Guard mounting at 7, Drill from 8:30 until 10, Battalion drill from 4 to 5:30, roll call at 8:30, Taps at 8:45. I do not like the idea of going to bed at this early hour. The city of Newberne is one of the pleasantest cities I ever was in. It resembles New Haven as far as the large shade trees are concerned. But in one thing it is deficient, that is in large clocks or splendid residences and in fact the buildings would not compare favorably with those in one of our towns. The population seems to be comprised mostly of Negros as you see but a few other persons in the street. What few nice residences there is are occupied by officers and their waiters and it is not an uncommon thing to hear the tunes of a piano or melody singing from some officers quarters as you pass through the streets. Well I suppose that a piano is better to be used then to lie still and for this reason the soldiers cultivate music so that the instruments may be kept in tune. How long we shall stay here and where we shall go to when we leave are all questions for the guessers. The railroad bridge across the Trent between here and the city is nearly completed and the steam whistle of the locomotive will soon be sounding in our midst. The weather here for the most part is uncomfortably warm at present except when we have rain and then the air is so close that one can hardly breathe. Lieutenant W. P. Marsh has been promoted to Captain of the Company F. I can tell you our company felt bad to lose him as he was thought of very much by his men. Orderly William J. Groatch has been promoted to Lieutenant and is just the man for the place. He was presented with a sword by the company the same day he was promoted.
Remember me to all.
Yours
O. C. Case