5th New Hampshire Infantry - Company Drummer

Item LTR-293

Description

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

Camp Near Falmouth VA
February 2nd 1862

Dear Father,

I received your letter this morning and was very glad to get it. I am glad you are trying to get me home for I think I have been here long enough. You say Mr. Balkum is coming out here. I am glad of that. I am glad to see any Claremont man. Father, you said you heard the papers were lost. I have got the papers here you where you gave your consent for me to enlist. Colonel Cross never saw them when I enlisted. All he said was if you had gave your consent. I told him you had. I never had any enlisting papers. The way I enlisted I held up my hand and he read over a few words to me and then he told me to report to my company. That is the way I enlisted. I have always kept the papers you and Mr. Woodell signed so they can prove you gave your consent. We have had some bad weather here. A few days ago we had about three inches of snow. Most all is gone now. So it makes it very muddy. We had some rain but very little. What do you think about General Burnsides leaving the Army and General Hooker taking command of the Army of the Potomac? General Summer has left. He says he will not serve under General Hooker. So you see we have war here among us. You wanted to know how Jackson is getting along. I cannot tell you. I have not heard from him for some time. He was getting a little better then. I think he will never come back again. He will get away if he can. So we all would if so we could. I am sorry I ever asked you to let me enlist. I did not know then what I have gotten to know. You said Georgey was not coming out again. I am glad of that. He knew but a little about war when he left here. We have the same little tents we had last summer. A little piece of thin white cloth. I cannot think of any more to write. Tell Mother to write often and you the same. These few lines from your son, goodbye.

Charles T. Moody
Company Drummer