140th New York Infantry

Item LTR-453

Description

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

Camp 140th Regiment, New York Volunteers
Near Chickahominy, VA

June 10th 1864

Dear Parents,

Yours of May 8th I received the evening it had been forwarded on to me from Camp Distribution. I was very happy to have the pleasure of receiving a communication from Sister Alice once more. Happy to hear you all are well. Hoping this may find you all enjoying life the merriest. This has me in good health and in fine spirits. I addressed a letter to you the 8th of this month stating I had been returned to my command to perform my duty as a soldier once more. I believe the Colonel’s received a note form the War Department this evening stating that we should draw pay from the Government from the 9th of May 1863. But I think that it is a great mistake to my knowledge we only commence to draw pay from the 9th 1864. If that is the case, I will not sign the pay roll until I find out whether I am going to receive the 21 months that is now due to me. I would like to have father look into the matter a little and find out whether they can hold it back until my term of service expires. The weather is very beautiful but it is rather humid. This is a very pleasant evening. The bugle has just blown for roll call. Everything seems to be great along the lines of battle today. Occasionally the roar of cannons can be heard in a short distance from here. Along in the night the pickets commence firing very often too. I tell you the rebels have a strong line of battle. Also large fortifications and heavy guns. We have along our line mortars and cannons in position about 8 or 10 feet apart. I am thinking that we will have a rebel battle here but if they attack us they will meet with a warm reception. If I am not greatly mistaken, well we are ready to meet them at the point of the bayonet. Part of the Army has been lying in camp for a few days, and part at rest. The exhausted soldiers that have been fighting since the commencement of this spring’s campaign is only minus a company now most of them being taken prisoner in the late battles. I have the faint idea that we will have to be moved before many days. Yes and it may be by less than half an hour. A soldier knows not what regiment. He may be called upon to help defend his country. Those have been quite a easy reinforcement of troops came into camp. When the conflict opens again along this line there will be music enough. I am thinking that is if all the artillery opens that we have here no more about was this time. I think I have told you enough about it this time. I am writing this letter in Shadrick’s and he is also writing to someone. Dear Parents, if it should be chance that I be wounded, I would like to have you try and get me home if possible. If it should be death let me lay down with the rest of my comrades that have fallen in the defense of their country as I have. I know it would be impossible to bring my remains home. I live in hopes of seeing you all someday soon. Remember me kindly to all those that have been my friends, especially my Sabbath school friends. Taps has blown and it is getting late. I must close this letter for this time. Hoping to hear from you soon.

Ever your loving son,

C. C. Miller

P. S. Please send me a handkerchief.