107th New York Infantry - Killed at New Hope Church, VA - Deserter Executed

Item LTR-6340

Description

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


107th Regiment at Brandy Station
September the 25th, 1863

Dear Brother and Sister,

I thought I would write you a few lines to let you know that I am going farther from home. We came here last night to Brandy Station and expect to take the cars and go to Alexandria and take transport to Charleston or to Texas. I don’t know which but we are going somewheres. We have got 8 days rations.

I have just seen another murder and I don’t want to see any more. I just saw a fellow shot on his box out of our division. Russel Devoe saw him shot too. Russ says that he wishes that he had never had deserted but it is too late to repent now. I would not like to see him shot on his box but I may. He ain’t had his Court Marshal yet. I don’t know how it will go with him. They caught him up in Pennsylvania. They have got 5 or 6 more out of our Regiment. I think they will shoot some out of the gallant 107th maybe but them may not.

The next time you hear from me I will be on some other soil. I have been in Virginia a good while. Frank is well. I don’t care about going but I can go where the regiment goes. I am well. If it will end the war any sooner by going down there, why that is the place.

We may go to Tennessee. We can’t think of any wheres else we can go. I can’t think of much to write, only to let you know that we are going off. I expect to get that what I was telling you soon now. It will make 4 dollars or amount more and I might just as well have it as any one else. The wind blows so I can’t half write.

I guess it is for the best that Jimmy stayed to home for I would hate to have him go down there. I am afraid that we will have hard times.

I have not had any letter from you in about two weeks but I hope I will get them pictures before I go because I think if we go down there, I won’t be apt to get them. This is all at present from your Brother,
William E. Vanauken

To E.O. Sawyer
Good Bye