8th Massachusetts Infantry & 4th Heavy Artillery

Item LTR-6427

Description

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

Fort Worth, Virginia
January 3rd 1865

Dear Wife,
I am now seated at the old table to write you another letter. I started off in good time for the city. I got down to Alexandria, VA at just about 7 a.m.. Was intending to have taken the boat but that was gone. So I waited till 8 and took the cars. So I got into Washington in good season and got the Saturday and Monday mail. And then went up to the Carver Hospital to see Mr. Jennis. I found him there and a little on the gain. I carried him up his descriptive list. If he can get rid of his cough, he thinks that he would be all right. I left him about ½ past 11 for the P. O. again and got today’s mail. It was very small. I then went down to Gordon Taft’s and got some state pay rolls. He says he has got some money forces and is carrying up to pay us off tomorrow or next day or two for this Depot. We got there at about 1 o’clock and found that the cars did not go until 4 ½. We then went down to the boats intending to take the first boat back. This was the 20 cents boat and we did not take that. So we went down to the Government Wharf where we calculated to take the Washington Hupot but that was not there. But we found on the wharf about 50 rebel officers. Where they were taken prisoner in the Shenandoah and we stopped and talked with them for two hours. They were a pretty smart set of fellow. And more determined to fight to the bitter end. They say that they are determined to fight till they gain their independence if they have to fight for 20 years. They look upon their cause as a just one.
These were all around and some of them had but one leg and others had ½ dozen bullets in them. There was one Colonel with them. He was a great stout looking fellow. I talked with him some time. And finally bought him with some of the other officers some apples and wished them well. I told them that I hoped that they would be used well while prisoners. But if we ever met them in battle I should fight them like a tiger. They said that was what they liked. They talked as though they had always enough to eat. They were pretty poorly clad and did not complain of their hardships. I feel a little ashamed to have our men growl because they have to lay in these sorts with little or nothing to do and rations enough to eat. And these men in their eyes are willing to suffer everything. But I guess all the Rebs are not like these. The mark of a colonel, bars and stars on his coat collar. They were going to be lodged in the Old Capital Prison. They said they would never take the oath of allegiance, let them suffer whatever they might. But we left them. I made back for the cars. We got there and had fairly seated when in came Captain Paring. He started for Washington this morning in order to do some business. And he got close to Alexandria, I took his seat in the cars as he thought [he was] at Washington and the first thing he discovered was that he was on his way for Fairfax. And he had to ride down there and then wait for the cars to return. And then he went to Washington. And by the time he had been to Gordon Taft’s it was time to go home. So I had his company. And when we got home I guess we were hungry. I ate a supper of soup and it went better than turkey does at some times. We are having quite a snow storm here tonight. If it keeps on we shall have a pretty good winter snow. I am just the same as ever. Well as tough as a pitch pine knot. I don’t know what it is to be tired. I don’t know but I could train all day and not get tired. I saw a man today in the post office. Who went out into the oil region last fall and bought a piece of land for which he paid one hundred and forty dollars ($140). For he sold it a little while ago for $45000. This was making money in a hurry.
I guess I will close soon as they all are spent and asleep. I guess I must tell you what a nice little mistake Mr. Brown made the other morning. After he had got a good fire, he had the stone door open with a pair of footings in one hand and a stick of wood in the other. He takes and puts his footings into the stone and lays the stick down as close as could he but not discovering his mistake soon enough to save his footings. We shall get paid off soon and then I shall get a pretty good stock of butter, molasses, chees, paper, tobacco and then I guess you will see a pretty likely trade. They will have these articles if they can get them, I shall expect to get a letter from you tomorrow. My love to Mother Piper and Paul, folks and all others. Tell the children to behave. Patience and good health to all.
Yours, etc.,
J. W. Piper