5th Connecticut Infantry

Item LTR-5948

Description

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

Camp of 5th Connecticut Volunteers
Near Stafford Courthouse, VA

March 16th 1863

Dear Cousin Charlie,

I have been about writing to you for some time but did not know your directions before. I had a letter from them the other day and he sent your directions. I wrote several letters to you before you went away but did not get any answer to them. I supposed you never got them. Charlie, what do you think of soldiering? Do you like it down that way? Are you having good times or how is it? I suppose it is warm down that way to what it is up here. It is pretty cold here. It rains or snows about every other day and the mud is knee deep all the while. The 14th Connecticut is about three miles from here. I have seen John Booth several times. He looks pretty well and he has got where he can not get any liquor. There is two or three other Connecticut Regiments around here. There is nothing new around here. We have to go on picket every few days. We have not got over fifteen or twenty men in the company for duty. We have not seen any fighting lately but I suppose we shall when General Hooker gets ready. They make a cavalry raid around here occasionally but they look out and keep away from us. I suppose they are having great times in Ole Connecticut now. It is almost election time. I would like to be there and see what is going on. Abe Peek, Old Lewis, Bill Burritt, H. B. Curtiss and Beers are all well. How is that boy of yours getting along? It is some time since I have seen him. He must be quite a boy by this time. Is there anybody else there that I know? Charlie, I want to have you answer this as soon as possible. I will close by bidding you good bye.

From your Cousin,

Fred Booth

Direct to Frederick Booth
Company A
5th Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers
1st Brigade, 1st Division
12th Army Corps
Washington, DC