32nd Pennsylvania Infantry

Item LTR-475

Description

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

Camp Pierpont, VA

January 22nd 1862

Major Beitenman

Respected Sir,

Your very kind letter of the 12th has come to hand for which accept my sincere thanks. I can assure you it afforded me much pleasure to hear from you all. On Monday evening Mr. Addis arrived in Camp. The articles and letter which you sent with him I received in good order, for which I thank the kind donor heartily. Please tell Mrs. Bear that the sausage was “appreciated”, and that is was “very goody”. I am much obliged to her for her kindness in remembering the poor soldier, and my wish is that her shadow may never grow less.

You can rest assured Major, if we ever get a chance at the rebels, I will do my duty to the best of my ability. We were much disappointed on the day of the Dranesville fight. We were marched out 11 miles in "double quick”, thinking that we would surely get an opportunity of testing our mettle. But before we reached the place where the knockdown took place the cowardly disciples of Jeff had taken to their heels, going at on the principle of “he who fights and runs away, may live to get whipped some other day.”

When we were within a mile of the battlefield we were ordered to “about face” and “travel” back to camp. Which order we obeyed with no small degree of reluctance and disappointment. But you know a soldier’s first duty is to obey orders. We marched 22 miles in 7 hours on this occasion.

It is rumored here that we (the Reserves) are to move from here shortly, but I for my part, am inclined to the belief that we will remain just where we are until spring. My reasons for thinking so are simply because the roads are in such a condition that it will be an utter impossibility to transport our commissary stores and camp equipage to say nothing of the heavy artillery, the mud is actually knee deep, not only in the roads but all over the camp grounds. It has been nothing but rain and snow for the last two weeks. And it still continues to rain while I am writing.

Uriah Thollenberger and Herman Kilian are expecting a box from Hamburg and if any of my friends wish to send anything to me they may perhaps send it in the same box.

I sent you a “pictorial war map” last week. Did you receive it?

As Mr. Addis has no doubt posted you up in regard to matters and things in general, it will therefore be needless for me to add more. I suppose he has told you more than I know.

I will now close by again thanking you and all concerned for your very kind remembrance of me. Hoping this may find you one and all in the enjoyment of that greatest of all blessings, health.

Respectfully your friend and well wishes,

Pompilio Lippi
M E K M

P. S. Write whenever convenient, the compliment will always be returned.