5th Maine Infantry

Item LTR-358

Description

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

Headquarters, 5th Maine Volunteers
Camp near White Oak Church, VA

March 27th 1863

Dear Wife,

Yours of the 22nd last is at hand which I will now try to answer. You say the contract between them and the Sunday before is very striking. That is it is very warm. I am glad to hear the weather has changed for the better as it was very bad when at home. I felt bad when I heard of the death of Mrs. Freeman, but life is very uncertain. You speak of the death of Carrie Mason. Is that Wallace’s wife you speak of? I did not know she was sick. What was the matter with her? And who is Albert Cross? I do not know of any such a man in town as Albert Cross. I am glad you have heard from Kate and that she is well. I hope she will do well as she has been with us for a long time. I am sorry anyone would be so mean as to wish that poor orphan girl harm. I have not written Mrs. Lindsey yet but shall within a day or two. I am glad she takes so much interest in my Regiment. I do not seem to remember how old a Lady she is and what is the trouble with the old man anyhow. Did you see the Sanborn girl? The Patterson’s Lady? How is she?

You ask how Charles likes VA? I say he does not like it very well. As it rains about all the time. Kee have gone to Washington today. Parker was here with him and went back today. Charles has not brought any good here as yet but I think will by the first of the week if we do not move. I know he can do well if he tries, as there is money to be made in the business. I have not yet gotten my things and have on the same clothes that I left home in. A letter better come tonight from his wife I think. I presume she will write often than once a week or two as she told you. You say you have not seen Mrs. Sawyer since I left? I hope she will do well this summer and get along without much. Or at least will not have to call on Neal to fix it. You ask me how I found my regiment when I got back. Well I found all well. But some of them had a good time when I was gone in the way of drinking but they are all doing well now. Say to Frank if I get my regiment up to Washington he shall come out and stay a while. The horses are in fine plight. Hooker is a beautiful horse and Mac is good. You ask me if I found my commission when I got here. My answer is that I did and I will send it home to you as soon as I am mustered in on it. And you may get Goddard to frame them all, as many have done so. You say it seems that you did not hardly see me when at home. I well knew how it would be. It seems the same to me. I cannot make it appear that I have hardly been away from the camp. I found it made a large space in my pocket than it did in time. But then I earned it anyway. You say you will give one of my pictures to Amy Lee. I hope the Doctor will not be jealous. I want you to send me four or five of them as I have promised them out. It was left with you to decide about the number. One dozen or two. All they ask in Washington is three dollars for a dozen. I will close this in the morning. So goodnight.

Saturday morning. Rain, rain, rain. It is now pouring down from the heavens in torrents. It has been raining all the morning. I was aroused from my morning sleep by heaven’s artillery. There has been a heavy thundershower all the morning so far and it is now ten o’clock. I have nothing new to write this morning. Dr. Noyes resigned yesterday. As he feared he was to be examined. As soon as his papers are returned, I shall recommend Dr. Osmond Turtchell to fill his place. I have not done anything to get about the regiment as General Bartlett is away on leave. I have written a word or two to Nellie and Mazzie. I will write a note to Frank and Mallery. We are now issued marching orders but I do not think we will move for a week yet to come and perhaps it will be two. I am feeling quite well but have a very bad throat. Shall lose the voice from it. I do not have a very hard time but still are confined to camp most of the time. LtCol Millett is now under arrest for allowing his men to distribute old hay on picket line. But it will amount to nothing. If we do not move soon I shall make an effort to go to Washington for a day or two. I shall expect Charles back today or tomorrow. I hope he will get my box. As I need my clothes. I have nothing new to write today. Irving is now getting better. Davis is as good as can be and finally they all think something of this Colonel if I do say so. I am going to write Mrs. T. this afternoon. I shall give her a note as to get something more. If you see Dr. T. say to him I shall expect to be ready as soon as his commission comes and I shall send his recommendation the first of the week. My regards to all the folks. I see another of these lovely letters from N. A. T., Esq., which I shall answer in the same way as he writes.

Write soon.

C. S. Edwards