2nd Connecticut Heavy Artillery - Killed at Cold Harbor

Item LTR-600

Description

4 pages, original Civil War Union letter written in period ink and war dated.


Headquarters Redoubt (A)
Near Fort Lyon, VA

May 30th 1863

Cousin Nellie,

I will improve the present opportunity in writing a few lines to you after so long a time. I have of late had a good many letters to write and but little time to write them in return. I returned to my regiment. There has been many changes made in it. When I got back three companies were detailed to garrison Fort Worth. In a short time they were ordered to Fort Ellsworth and that garrison was ordered to take their places in Worth at the same time. Company A was ordered into Redoubt A. Company D to Redoubt B. Company G to Redoubt C. Companies E, H and I to Redoubt D. We are all well suited with our situations. We think there is a fair prospect of our being made over into Artillery for we understand the device well and more artillery is needed in this vicinity. Colonel Kellogg after being under arrest several weeks and not having any charges preferred against him was ordered to report to his regiment this a.m. at seven o’clock for duty.

We do not justify him in the course he took to revenge on the other officers of the regiment yet we welcome him back for he is a very competent officer. The most so of any we have. For the last week we have expected a raid from Stuart and made all necessary preparations to give him a warm reception. Should he come. He has thus far chosen to keep his distance and I think he will continue to do so. We would really like to have him try his luck this way and if we did not send him home and his followers skedaddling over the hills for Richmond. We are not worthy of the title of Yankees. The authorities in Washington fear an advance of Lee in this vicinity and are making every preparation to resist an invasion. Large numbers of troops are being sent here. Rifle pits are being set in every direction and trees are fallen across the roads, etc. I think they will have a good time if they come. I visited Mount Vernon a few days since. The trip down is a splendid one on a fine day.

There are but a few relics left in the mansion for everyone that goes there takes just such as they want. It is about six miles distance form here. The roses I seen was picked from a bush, a descendant, of one planted by Washington with his own hands. Please give my best respects to your people.

Please answer soon.
Your true Friend and Cousin

C. B. Hatch
Company A, 19th Regiment Connecticut Volunteers