29th Massachusetts Infantry

Item LTR-6100

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 3 pages written in period ink.


Camp Butler
Newport News, Virginia
January 20, 1862

Dear Friends and Cousin,

It is now nine o’clock. The drums have beat the taps for the extinguishing of lights but as I am on guard, I thought I would come in to the house and write a letter. It is a very bad time to be on guard. We have had a very bad thunder shower. It is raining now. We have had bad weather for the last two weeks. We were paid off about a week ago. I have got a very small amount of news to write this time. We expect to attack a place not far from here soon. I was out scouting yesterday but saw no Rebels. I think they are getting pretty frightened. They keep at a safe distance. I have been expecting a letter from you for nearly a fortnight but received none.

I see Tom Mullen tonight and he wanted me to tell Frank that he had kept his pledge. He said he should like to see Frank and go to the Division with him. Tom wants you to write to him.

We have got ten companies in our regiment now. The company that I belong to has the praise of being the best drilled company on the field – that is Captain [Thomas William] Clarke’s Company. I send you enclosed ten dollars. I want you to take some of the money and send me out a small box. I want you to send me a bottle of blue ink and a bottle black. We cannot get any here and I want you to send me some plain writing paper and good envelopes. Send me some very small writing paper and envelopes to match. Send me some pens too. And if you take a notion, send me two dime novels of the latest you can find. I want you to answer this letter right off for I have not received a letter from you for a long time.

But it is getting late and I must close. My love to you all. From your best friend,

John W. Morse

Camp Butler, VA.