150th Pennsylvania Bucktail Captured at Gettysburg

Item LTR-515

Description

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

November the 4th 1862

Washington, DC

Ms. T. C. Waid

Dear Cousin,

I thought that I write a few lines to you, as I had nothing to do tonight. I am well and the rest of our folks is well except Nick. He is laden with teethache. We are still guarding the war and navy department. We have very good times now. We don’t have to work very hard but the worst is the sleepen part. Our beds are what I call pretty hard things for me. For I have got the rheumasticks and lying on the ground don’t agree very well with them. We had hardest march last Friday to Harpers Ferry and we packed our knapsacks and when we got them packed it was about 15 minutes until the adjutant came and told us that we need not go. And the most of the boys felt glad enough and we can’t tell how long we will stay here. Francis you may be sad that you are not here. For camp life is a hard life, if you don’t get shot. I got a letter from Levine today and the folks was all well there. Nathan has got a discharge from the army and is at home. He is middling well. I got a letter from Maryann. She was well and wrote Gibbs’ folks was well. Nick and Hade got their box and they were glad to receive it. Thank you very much for what you sent me. I would like to have you to write to me as soon as you can and as often as you can and I will answer them if I can. But I have a good many to write to and it is most time to call the roll and if I ain’t on hand, they will prick my name. Our Captain and both of our lieutenants is sick. I have a hard way to write so you must read it the best way that you can. So goodnight. Tell Liza that I send my best respects to her and that I would rather be at her house eating goose than to be here.

William Waid
Company C, 150th Pennsylvania Volunteers
Colonel Wister
Washington, DC

In care of J. B. Fay