21st Massachusetts Infantry - Wounded Fredericksburg & Bethesda Church

Item LTR-513

Description

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

Near Wheatland, Virginia

November 1st 1862

Dear Father and Mother,

I received yours dated October 26th last evening and was glad to hear from you. You will see by this that we are again in Virginia. We crossed the Potomac at Berlin on a pontoon bridge. We are now some ten or twelve miles from the river on the road to Richmond I suppose. I think that part of the army command by McClellan will cross the river if it has not already at Harpers Ferry and Williamsport. General Burnside now commands three Corps of the Army in all probably 15 or 100 thousand. It’s so good to see we have men enough that cannot be the trouble this time. My health is good and I am getting as fat as a pig. The weather is warm but the nights are a little cold. We expect to move from here every day and if so it cannot be long before we shall meet the enemy unless they chose to fall back. The roads are in splendid condition and nothing is to hinder the forward movement of the whole army. I think the next battle will be a hard one and it may not come for a long time.

You wrote that you would like to send me some things to make me comfortable. There are many things that I should like but there is so much lost and spoiled that it does not pay to run the risk. The pamphlet you wrote about I have not received. I presume I never shall. The sorry men at home are bound not to live single. I should think I wish them success. I will not write more now. I have just finished pay rolls for two months more and am tired of writing. Therefore, you will excuse errors. I wish the government would pay us as we are much in need of money. Give my respects to sister Mary and Charles and all others who think enough of me to inquire, accept the same. Write as often as convenient and oblige.

Your Son,

William J. Ricketts
of Company D, 21st Massachusetts Volunteers

There has been heavy cannonading heard for the last three hour. What it means I cannot tell. It may not mean anything however.

William J. Ricketts