4th New Jersey Infantry

Item LTR-207

Description

Original 4 page Civil War soldier's letter written in period ink:

Trenton

April 28th 1861

Dear Friend,

I take this opportunity of writing you a few lines to let you know that I am well and still poses a fighting spirit. We arrived here at 5 o’clock the day we started from Salem. We met with praise from the people of every place we have passed through and our company now stands above every other company in this place. Our Captain has been promoted to a higher standing. He has been placed Major of the 4th Regiment of this state and that has raised all the officers one notch higher. Clem Sinnickson is now Captain of our company and Ingham 1st Lieutenant and so on. I am 3rd Sergeant. Our places are to be in the 4th Regiment Company I. (I suppose you know that each company comes in an alphabetical form). I cannot tell when we shall leave but I suppose it will be sometime next week. We have not gotten our guns yet. We have marched down twice after them but had to come back without them. But I think we will get them tomorrow. But I am afraid we will have to take muskets instead of rifles, as it is a very hard matter to get rifles. There are several rifle companies here and in fact I think they are most all. So the City is pretty near filled up with soldiers. And we have to put up with some things that go against the grain. We lodge in a Church and eat at the American Hotel now. But when we first came here, we ate at some damned Lager Beer house. Where we got raw meat and bread and not much else. And as soon as it was found out by the officers, we were moved where we now are. Which is much better. You can tell the folks that I, as well, as the rest of the Lower Creek boys are ready to march at any moment. And I think without the least fear. Charley Pinkard arrived here about an hour after us. Just in time to be sworn in with the rest of us and I think he will make a good soldier too. Old Bizzard is with us and is very well satisfied and stands right with the officers. Benj Acton was here the other day and gave each of us a revolver. And I had one give to me before I left and now I have two. Most of our company has gone to church today.

I will write to you again when I find out where we are agoing and then I want you to write too and not tell them. For I do not think I would have time to get it before we leave. Give my respect to all inquiring. No more at present.

Yours,

N. S. Stretch Jr.