1st Maine Cavalry, 25th Maine Infantry, 1st District of Columbia Cavalry POW - Andersonville

Item LTR-64

Description

4 pages period ink on patriotic letterhead

Gray was captured at Stoney Creek, VA sent to Andersonville where he died. He is buried at Andersonville in Grave #5736.

Camp Tom Casey, Jan. 4, ‘63
Arlington heights, Virginia

Dear Parents, Brothers and Sisters,

I now to sit down to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well at this time. I am as fat as a bear and I hope that this will find you all enjoying the same blessing.

I received your letter last Thursday night and was glad to hear from you and that you was all well.

I have not had to drill much of any yet. It is very pleasant out here now and warm and has been very dry so far this winter. We have not been paid of yet and I do not know when we shall be. We have lost eleven men out of our regiment, but the sick ones are doing well now. We live in fine style (E.G.W. Jr. the man.) we have got them whitewashed and they look very nice. I tell you it looks like a village of Indian huts. Charles Wescott and the rest of the boys from our way are all well at this time. I should have written before this but I have been so full of the devil that I could not spend time. The story is now that we are a going to build rifles pits around our encampment. So, if there is a raid upon us so that we can defend out own ground. I saw Rufus McQilen night before last. He was quite smart. He has been sick. He is over to the convalescent camp about ¾ of a mile from our encampment. There is 2 regiments of cavalry quartered about one half of a mile from our encampment. They have got some splendid horses.

I was down to see them the other day. They would not give me a pass and so I run guard and went off and stayed all the forenoon. They have got some of our boys on knapsack drill. That is a lugging bricks for four hours a day. I don’t know but that they will have them on to me yet. But, I have been a match for them so far. Tell father that William Marr has got smart and is a carrying on so that I can hardly write a word. He has left the cook-house and gone into the ranks.

As I can’t think of anything more to write at present I shall have to bid you good-bye for this time. Direct your letters to James S. Gray, Co. K., 25th Reg’t. Maine, Washington, D.C., in care of Capt. Palmer.
From you Son,
Jas. Swinton Gray
Arlington Heights, Va.

James S. Gray - Died at Andersonville Prison (Grave # 5736)
25th Maine Infantry
1st District of Columbia Cavalry
1st Maine Cavalry
POW – Stoney Creek, VA