20th Indiana Infantry - Killed at Petersburg.

Item LTR-262

Description

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

Served on the staff of General J. H. Hobart War at Gettysburg.

Headquarters 20th Indiana Volunteers, 1st Brigade, 1st Division
Near Falmouth, Va. Dec 5th, 1862


Dear Friends

I have been waiting for some time for a letter from you and am continually disappointed, that I have at last determined to write again. I have very little doubt but that the trouble is in our very irregular mails for it is now nearly four weeks since I heard from home. For two weeks we did not have a single mail.
Well, there is little I can tell you more than what the papers tell you every day. We have many inspections, reviews, etc., which show that the army is sadly in need of clothing, etc. These wants are rapidly being supplied and in a very few days there certainly will be no trouble of this kind in the way. There certainly never was a good reason why these articles were not promptly furnished. Ditto, with regard to the pontoons.
Troops are moved about a good deal, but it is hard to define the real intent of our generals. Evidently the enemy is greatly puzzled and uncertain whether to call our move here real or only a feint. In many days he will probably find out. An expedition shortly to start will probably help to enlighten him on the subject. The rebel picket line is on the opposite bank of the river – ours on this. The pickets can see each other and converse with ease. No firing on either side is permitted. The regiments, brigades, etc., all day about a mile and a half back from the river out of range of the enemy’s guns. Our batteries are on the high hills on this side of Fredericksburg which is completely at our mercy. On the high hills back of Fredericksburg the enemy are continually at work upon extensive fortifications, placing guns in position and so on. If you were to ask me why this is permitted by our generals, with our guns commanding the position, I could not answer you, except to say that I hoped our generals know what was best.
We have all been at work for some days trying to make our little shelter tents endurable for this season of the year. We do this by cutting pine logs and raising our tents several feet from the ground and daubing them with clay. We also build a sort of chimney at one end, and you would be surprised to see how comfortable a place can be made with such limited facilities as we possess. My men have just completed for me quite a palace (!) (considering) and I was just beginning to think of a little comfort and a good night’s rest when here comes the very pleasant intelligence that “we will probably move tomorrow.” About the same time however, it began to snow and rain and blew dreadfully and has kept it up without intermission all day long. So the probability are that we will not “move tomorrow” and I may yet get a few day’s comfort out of my fine house. Just as Uncle Sam says however, and as the service requires, and I will submit with the best grace possible. Where one can’t help himself it is best to submit gracefully.

Capt. Gilbrath is a neighbor of mine now in the “line” and is well and flourishing. He was asking the other day when I had heard from you last and threatened to write soon. We both plan a visit to Baltimore every now and then but I fear it will be some time before we will be permitted to carry any of our plans into execution.
Another Christmas is near at hand and still the war drags on. I certainly little thought last Christmas that another Christmas would pass by without my being permitted to see home. Eighteen months from home, for a “chap” that never was away from home before, is rather hard. I believe I was accused of being “homesick” when I was at Baltimore last and I am afraid if I should go there now I would show more evidences of that disease than were visible then. But I will try and bear it till Richmond is taken.
Enough of this however. I must close and go to court which means a court martial that I am a member of. Let me hear from you all soon. Give my regards to all the friends, and remember me as

Yours truly,

Joseph Pancoust & Family George W. Meikel
Baltimore, Md 20th Indiana, Robinson’s Brigade
1st Division, 3d Corps