14th New Hampshire Infantry - Wounded at Winchester

Item LTR-238

Description

4 page original Civil War soldier's letter, written in period ink and war dated.

Camp 14th New Hampshire Volunteers
2nd Division
19th Army Corps
Monocacy Junction
August 4th 1864

Dear Father and Mother,

Knowing how anxious you are to hear from me, I write again today. That we are in the same position as when I wrote you last and for all I see liable to remain so for some time to come. The 8th Corps that has been encamped beyond Frederick came past us last night on their way to Edwards Ferry. And there was quite a general movement of troops all around us yesterday. But our Corps remains in its old quarters. We heard last night in a roundabout way that the other six Companies of our Regiment with General Birge, our Brigade Commander, had arrived in Washington and would join us today. But we have seen nothing of them yet and I am afraid the story is a hoax. I should be very much rejoiced to see the remainder of the boys. For a good deal of my baggage is with them and all the camp and garrison’s equipment. I have a hundred little things with them that I want to use every day. You know I always liked hard usage and life in the field. I am enjoying myself better and have been happier in my little shelter tent in this dusty oat field than I did during all my stay in Louisiana though. I had a house part of the time and a wall tent the remainder. You cannot think how much my health has improved in the last four days. I was completely beaten out when we arrived in Washington and had we been obliged to have gone on a long march, I have not a doubt but that I should have failed. But this fresh air has given me a new life, a good appetite, and the way I eat now is a caution. We have a little mess established and buy off farmers who came to camp with provisions. This morning we had fried port and apples, good sweet bread and butter and coffee. Tonight we have bread and milk. The country all around here shows signs of the raiders. Fences down, houses burned, bridges destroyed, slaughtered hogs and cattle all along the sides of the road. Captain Tolman is out on picket today but half a mile off and in plain view of camp. It seems to be the prevailing opinion that when we move, it will be down the Shenandoah Valley. I never was as near a post office since I have been in the Army as now. The train runs within six yards of my tent. And when it comes in all I have to do is go down and give my letters to the mail agent. Direct your letters to me in future instead of to Horatio. Direct to:
Company G
14th New Hampshire Volunteers
2nd Division, 19th Army Corps
Washington, D.C.
From your affectionate son,
John [Sturtevant]