2nd United States Sharpshooters - Died of Wounds

Item LTR-485

Description

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

Camp In the woods between Fredericksburg and Richmond, VA

May 20th 1864

Father and Mother,

This letter comes with my truest respect towards you. Hoping that it will find you enjoying God’s blessing. I am well and enjoying very good health. We started on our campaign the 2nd of this month. I have past through dangers lair and unscathed. I am unhurt. At present our regiment loss

Puts a damper upon the friends because I enlisted but they can blot me out if they want to. The rebels made a charge upon our breastworks the other day and they near repulsed with great loss.

On ten rods square we counted between 3 and 5 hundred dead rebels. We took some 8 or 10 thousand prisoners.

I expect to be with my family this fall if I can. I received two letters from Sarah yesterday afternoon. Her Health is not very good. She makes herself very miserable by worrying about me. Ada has been very sick with Bilious fever but was some better when she wrote. If I live to come home, I calculate to come to Canada and see you all once more. Tell all of my relations in Farmham that they need not be so afraid of writing to me. I should like to hear from any of them. Direct them:

2nd Regiment, Company H
U.S.S.S.
Washington, DC

They will come direct to me.

As I have no stamps to put on this letter. The 4 days of this month was our first day battle. We lost our Captain, as his leg was broken below his knee and he bled to death. Our orderly sergeant was wounded the same day. Our forces are besieging Richmond. We are destined for that place but the end is not yet. This may be the last letter that I shall write to you but I hope not. I must close by bidding you farewell for the present.

This from your absent and unworthy son.

Yours truly,

Joseph C. Barton