9th New Hampshire Infantry

Item LTR-5787

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 4 pages written in period ink.

Fitchburg
July 5th 1863

Brother Henry,

Yours of the 9th and 18th of June reached me about the same time. The former enclosing check for $200, which I have invested in 5/20 government stock which Mr. Forsey and Mr. Billings advised me to do, instead of putting it into the Savings Bank. I have not seen Ovid yet and have got your bill from home. I am very glad to hear that your health is good and hope it may continue so through this hot weather. And hope Grant will take Vicksburg soon so that you may come north soon. But I am afraid that it’s a hard place to take. There has been stirring times in Pennsylvania for the last ten days. The whole of Lee’s Army have crossed over and there has been some hard fighting going on as we get the reports. It looks as though we had the best of it so far. Although attended with very severe loss on our side. General Reynolds and three or four other generals have been killed on our side and Colonel Cross of the New Hampshire 5th is among the killed. A great deal depends on the result of the campaign in Pennsylvania. If we whip them, it will be a glorious thing and if we get whipped it will be an awful blow to us. I presume you have heard that General Hooker has been removed and General Meade made commander of the Army of the Potomac. The report was yesterday that our forces had captured General Longstreet and driven the enemy at all points about 5 miles. But I am afraid that the above needs confirmation. But hope it will prove true. We get all kinds of reports from the army. Thursday, the report was that Vicksburg had surrendered but was contradicted the next day. The 4th passed off very quietly here yesterday. There was a horse trot here and a few fireworks in the evening and a band of music playing, which was all that was done here. We have in hopes the news from the army would ensure a general celebration throughout all the loyal states.

We are all well, except Mrs. Wilson. She had a very severe shock of paralysis two weeks ago last Friday morning. And we did not expect her to live from one hour to another for two days. Since then, we think she is gaining very slowly and hope she may be able to get about again. But will probably never be well again. The folks at home were all well the last time I heard from them. Lizzy and I should have gone to Winchester before this and Mrs. Wilson had been well but shall not get at present. Now please write as often as you can. I wrote you two or three times before I received your two last letters without hearing from you. All send love.

Yours truly,

S. Sprague