7th New Jersey Infantry

Item LTR-417

Description

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

Camp 7th Regiment New Jersey Volunteers

Near Bealeton, VA

September 6th 1863

Friend George,

It has been some time since I heard from that part of America. So I thought I would pen a few lines to you to find how things stand. At present the Army is at rest (you say) but not so. We have it harder than when on the march. We are on guard five days out of seven and the remaining two on inspection or review. To tell you George, it is a fine thing to view a Corps on review marching with the tap of the drum or the tune of the Star Spangled Banner or some other national air. So thinks our Generals but the rank and file don’t see it in that light. It will do very well for an inspection to find out the condition of the troops but too much of one thing is good for nothing. It gets warn out.

The weather here is quite comfortable. Rather cool nights without coats or blankets. I suppose we will not get them until the fall campaign is over. Which I think will open before long. I am beginning to think that Gillmore will have to withdraw from Charleston and if he doesn’t it will almost acknowledge the independence of a southern confederacy in the eyes of foreign nations.

I hope he may succeed but he has a hard job before him. I understand that recruiting has been quite brisk in Jersey. I hope the quota may be filled without a draft as there has been so much said about the disloyalty of Jersey. The troops in the field I think have shown their loyalty equal if not greater than any other state. I hope they may still keep up their good name but I would rather be excused from any more battles. No more at present but remain your sincere friend,

A. DeForest

Write soon and remember me to all.