114th Pennsylvania Infantry

Item LTR-6354

Description

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

Headquarters
Army of the Potomac

January 12th 1865

My Dear Father,

I have just received your letter of the 8th and one from Mary enclosed and also the papers which I was very glad to get as I don’t get any papers except what you send me. I am also glad to hear that you received my old letter. I don’t see how it is that our letters miscarry sometimes. For of all the letters that I write to my friends they all go through on time. I am in very good health. There is nothing new down here except the Johnny’s made another break on our picket lines. Right in front of General Mead’s Headquarters. But they did not make out so well as far as I can understand. For our fellows let them in and when they went back they captured about 40 of them. They generally try it just before daylight. Just the time you would not expect an attack. I suppose they think that its so near morning our fellows get sleepy and won’t expect them. They are pretty sharp aren’t they. But I guess they begin to think as boys do about as sharp as they are. It is very cold now and they only make a break to get blankets and overcoats and right back they go. But I guess they came out slim this last time. in regard to my Happy New Year, I either had the good or bad luck as you may call it, to get to see my friend in the Sixth Corps. For I was on guard. The young man I was with was not a bad character. As for the punishment, I don’t care anything about it. And as for getting a good position, I might when I get home. But I never will if I was in this regiment for twenty years. For they generally promote the worst men. There was promotion in our company last week and a man was promoted that no one thought of. He was always getting punished and has been caught sleeping on post and even on the front line of picket. A thing a man could have been shot for and now he has been promoted. While others who have done their duty are slighted. I have given up in despair. So I don’t care how I do my next 7 months.

When I get paid, I will go to City Point and see the express company. I did not say I would throw my money away but I said that I would rather throw it away than lose it. And so I would for then I know what has become of it. You need not tell me anything about Philip. I can go a little n****r but he administers it in rather too strong doses for me.

I received your letter of the first and answered it immediately and hope you have gotten it by this time. I will answer Mary’s tomorrow, as it is now after taps and I have to put the light out according to orders. The poor privates have to put the light out and get to bed while the officers play cards, drink and gamble. But that is right of course. A private is like a n****r. He has no rights that an officer is bound to respect.

I must close. Write soon. Give my love to Mother and sister and accept the same from

Your affectionate son,

Jacob B. Dannaker