4th New York Heavy Artillery

Item LTR-569

Description

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

Brandy Station

March 31st 1864

Dearest Love,

Well here I am in the mud and slush but still dear in the best of spirits and health. I presume you have received my letter of the 27th ere this. This place is about a half of a mile from General Meade’s headquarters and about two from Brandy Station. We have had a terrible rainstorm yesterday and day before but still with the aid of a piece of stove pipe and sod, I managed to make myself warm and comfortable. It is very severe on the men who have their shelter tents, which are about 5 feet square and about 3 high in which two men have to occupy. We are ordered to report to the 2nd Army Corps tomorrow at Raccoon Ford on the Rapidan River. General Hancock in command. The place where we are now is about the center of our Army. It is the ground on which the battle occurred between Kilpatrick and Stuart’s Cavalry last summer. The country round here has a most desolate look which is not improved by the Blue Ridge and Cedar Mountains in the background covered with snow. The general perception is that the Army will move in a few weeks. I have read your last letter over dearest and desire to know how my hand is. It is entirely over the effects of that burn. I cannot help think dearest of poor Freddy and her misfortunes. Poor thing. How lovely and desolate must appear this world to her now. Is her brother in New York state? The weather here is changed and a good drying breeze is a blowing and I hope the mud will soon dry up. I have not been out of my tent over a couple of hours during the past forty-eight hours, which is very tedious and disagreeable. Oh what a please dream I had of you last night. I dreamt you and I were out somewhere in Broadway and we went in some saloon, which was gorgeously furnished and we sat down and was talking and enjoying ourselves. Oh Sophie, it was such a pleasant dream and I felt so happy when I awoke, as I did wile we were a talking. I cannot recollect what we were a talking about, but it was some pleasant subject or I would not have felt so happy. I have your picture Love with me and I shall keep it with me that and a little testament Henrietta gave me and which I carried through the Battle of Bull Run. I have sent my trunk containing your letters to my brothers in New York. The order came very sudden for us to move from Glen Allen and it was very unexpected. I have been a looking for a letter from you but then you did not know where to address it. One of our Captains was married to a lady in Georgetown last night. He was to be married in April but the time was hastened owing to the regiment leaving. She is a very fine young lady and very handsome. I suppose the parting will be very affecting as they are very much attached to each other. Oh Sophie dear, how I long to hear from you. You must not let your mind be uneasy on my account. For dear, the Lord will extend the same protecting care over me here as he ever has. Dearest, I will have to bring this letter to a close. Hope it will soon reach you. I bid you an affectionate farewell.

Forever yours,

Baptiste

Address:

Captain John B. Vander Wiele
Battery F, 4th New York Artillery
2nd Corps
Army of the Potomac