Menu
YOUR CART 0 items - $0.00
THE EXCELSIOR BRIGADE Integrity-Quality-Service ESTABLISHED 2001
Roll over image to enlarge (scroll to zoom)

1st Vermont Infantry

Item LTR-234
June 28, 1861 Linus Needham
Price: $225.00

Description

4 page original Civil War soldier's letter, war dated.

Camp Butler
Newport News, VA

June 28th 1861

Dear Friends,

Your letters of the 7th were duly received and I now rest myself for the purpose of answering them. I presume you had just have me write to you all in one letter as to have me write to each one specifically.

I am well and as are all the Whitney boys enjoying our duties very well. I do not think that any of them are homesick now are to like better than they did three weeks ago when we did not get but about half enough to eat and rather poor at that. Our fare is better now. We get enough such as it is. It is not as good as we get at home and did not expect it would be. Think if we get through the campaign without suffering anymore than we have thus far we may consider ourselves very fortunate. In regard to the health of the regiment in general it is rather poor. Very many are sick with the measles and some with the fever. Only two deaths have occurred in this regiment since we left Virginia. One poor man of the Bradford Company was taken with the measles onboard the boat shortly after we left New York, which terminated in a fever and he died but a short time after we landed at the Fort. He was a very fine young man and his company seemed to regret his loss very much. One young man of the Middleburg Company died day before yesterday with the fever. He was in the hospital at the Fort. His company has gone there today for the purpose of sending his remains home. He was in Middlebury College when he enlisted. It is getting to be very warm here. Although we do not suffer as much here on the bank of this river as we would farther back in the county. I expect it will be more unhealthy hereafter that it has been but I shall endeavor to take great care of myself and prevent all sickness possible.

Levartus wished to have me write some things in regard to our labor. All we have to do now is to drill about three hours each day and take care of our guns. We are called out at 4 o’clock in the morning to roll call by the roll of the drum. Have breakfast half past 5. Company drill from half past 6 until 8. Nothing more until Battalion drill from 6 p.m. until half past 7. Roll call at 9 in the evening and at quarter past 9 every man except the guards must be in their tents with their lights out and still. So you see it does not give a person a chance to be out late at night. Even if he had a mind to. We go out on shooting expeditions sometimes. That is rather hard work, it being so very warm. Our company has not been in any engagement yet. A part of this regiment was in the battle at Bethel. Not any killed from the regiment. One man was taken prisoner and kept about ten days. He was then exchanged for one that was taken by our men and returned to camp in good health. I saw him last evening and conversed with him. He was first taken from Bethel to Yorktown. From there to Richmond. He says they are very strongly fortified at both places. He also stated that he was treated like a gentlemen all the time. He thinks there are very many union men in the rebel army. At Richmond he says they had a very nice war vessel burned the night before he arrived. Thus which leaves them only one now. Also one of their store houses was burned nearly full of provisions. This was all done by their own men. They cannot find them out so they have to stand it. The Negros are coming into camp nearly everyday for protection. I understand that was 17 come in this morning. They tell some hard stories of course. We can look around the river with our spy glass to any place called,pig farm and see the recession battlestands and flags quite plain at a distance of about five miles. The Harriett Lane went up and exchanged a few shots with them a while ago. No serious damage done on either side. It was done to test their strength. Norfolk is also in sight of this place.

We received a box of provision from Whitney last week. Thus was great rejoicing when it arrived. You had better believe we were all very much pleased with it. How is that little Granddaughter getting along? What is its name? I should like to see it very much.

Uncle Joseph you say your health is better. Was glad to hear it. Hope it will continue so.

Received letters and papers form Joseph often.

Aunt Sophia, you said you would like to send me a pie. It would be very expected. I have not had one since I left Vermont.

Jane, you wished to have me go right to shooting the rebels. There is not much chance for that now, although there may be before we leave.

General Scott is arranging his troops in such a way as to prevent all fighting poorable. General butler was here last Sunday. He is a savage looking old fellow.

Well, I do not think of anything more to write this time. This to all of you. I was very much pleased with your letters and I want you all to write again. Now remember I shall be looking for a letter from you soon. Remember me to our folks. Give my compliments to Edward and Phoebe and Carrie. Tell them I should be please to hear form them. My best wishes to you all.

This from your Friend,

L. Needham

The boys all send their respects to you.

To Uncle Joseph, Aunt Sophia Levartus and Jane

In respect to the Battle at Bethel, you have heard all about it before this time so will not write very much about it.