5th Rhode Island Heavy Artillery

Item LTR-482

Description

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

New Berne
Fort Spinola

May 19th 1864

Mr. J. W. Phillips,

I received your letter today, Thursday 19th. I was glad to hear something from you. I sent on the 30th of April by Express one hundred dollars. I expected to have news from it by this time. I am going to see the Quartermaster Sergeant. He had to find the last one. He paid me for it. I thought not to hear from my lost money. I think it had not gotten through. It takes about 10 days commonly. I hope get paid for the first box, the one sent for it was gone. I want to have you get what Matthew Sweet owes me, put it all together, take the bank book and keep it for me. It will be the beginning of the quarter sometime soon. If any of the rest that wants to pay me, you put with the rest. I hope I shall get a furlough since I haven’t been home in a year. I think I should like to come home. The Rebels have been within two miles of the fort. They took 2 of our company prisoners. They left them for Kingston. The rebels have been here once before. About 2 months ago they attacked our pickets at a place called Deep Gully. The fight lasted 2 days and made a loss on both sides. They are defeated again. I think they would not come if they do see we are ready for them. Please write when you receive this. Write me a line as I want to hear from you and know about the money I sent on the 30th of last month. I can’t think of any more to write.

So goodbye

Horace C. Perkins