40th New York Infantry - Mozart Regiment

Item LTR-518

Description

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

Bivouac of 40th N.Y.S.V.
12 miles beyond Poolesville, Maryland

September 18, 1862

Dear Mary,

Instead of finding me snugly encamped behind Fort Lyon, with the expectation of nothing to do and plenty to eat, your letter overtook me on another tour in quest of the Southern Confederacy.

As to how this came about, I can only tell you that having flitted from Fort Lyon to Fort Barnard, on Arlington Heights, we had “got things fined” on the 15th, and everything looked lovely, “while the goose hung high.” To heighten our bliss, six six-mule wagonloads of express boxes arrived that evening, and among them my own old “Peninsula veteran,” sent July 25th. Great was the excitement, and the ---smell, for I can tell you that while those boxes were lying on those old scows at Harrison’s Landing, you might have said “things is workin” with considerable truth. So when we got the boxes, “things had worked,” and as aforesaid, great and divers were the smells thereof.

Well, some things “as couldn’t work” were all right, and tattoo found the lucky ones discussing the goodies, and the unluckies turning biliously in, when all hands were astonished to hear “Strike tents and get ready to march!”

We got ready and started. Reached Lockerville next night. Next day (17th) reached Poolesville, and encamped 1½ miles beyond. Today, marched about ten miles, over a rocky, hilly road.

Poolesville is a nice place, but hasn’t a union white person in it. One old nip-cheese came to the Colonel and said he wanted a guard for his property. “Are you a union man?” said Egan. “It makes no difference what my principles are, I want my property protected!” Egan would have sent him away in a hurry, but just then came an order from General Stoneman (Kearny’s successor) to detail the guard. So 16 poor weary soldiers had to go and stand guard all night over an infernal old rapscallion who would have cut their throats willingly. So we go. We expect to reach Frederick tomorrow, if possible. We may get into a mess there, but I am not in the ranks at all anymore. So unless specially ordered, or things get too hot, I shall not go in.

I applaud you brother’s pluck, and your womanly patriotism. It does you both credit, but if Jimmy uses such expressions, he’s “small potatoes.” It’s a mean business to abuse one behind his back and “he’s got too much to say” is generally the opinion fools have of a smart man.

Uncle Lewis’ dream was curious and true, and you must believe him hereafter, unless he dreams that I’m getting married to somebody else, when you must tell him he dreams like you do when you dream fibs.

If we get paid at Frederick or Harpers Ferry, I’ll come and see you, if I have to run for it. I’m dying to see you and will do it at the first chance, when things are quiet. So look sharp.

Love to all and believe that I am,

Yours ever,

J. H. B. Jenkins

Miss Mary A. Benjamin
Smyrna, Delaware