17th Vermont Infantry

Item LTR-6503

Description

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


Camped in Fort Davis, Va
January 16th 1865

Dear Father and Friends.

I take this opportunity to write a few lines to you to let you know that I am well and hope these few lines will reach you the same. I received your kind letter this evening and read it with much pleasure, for it has been a long time since I have heard from home before. I am glad to hear that you was all well.

I h’ant much news to write this time. We are here in the Fort. We don’t have a very hard time. We have to do a little guard duty and go on picket twice a week, that is the most we have to do.

There is some talk about this regiment’s moving before long. I think we shall but I don’t know where. We have a little fun here once in a while shelling one another. It a’nt more than a mile over to the Reb’s forts from this one. When we go on picket we are close to them so we can talk with each other. We have been lucky since I came back. There h’ant been anyone hurt except one of the “31 Maine” boys. He was going out with the Lieutenant’s dinner one day and he was shot by one of the Rebs.

Well, you say you have got O. H. Smith to work on our case. Tell him to put it through and I will see that he has his pay. I wrote you a letter when I was at Fairhaven and stated the case just as it was. I wish I knew whether you have showed that to him or not. If you h’ant, I think you had better, and let me know about it when you write. I wish you would send me that letter or copy one off by it and send it to me when you write.

I am glad you have took hold of that for if there is any way to make him suffer I want it done, and if he is worth anything I think we can get a small pile. I suppose you would want our testimony and I don’t know why you couldn’t go on with the business just as well as though we were there. I stated the case in that letter just as it is. Now I want you should copy it off and send it to me in your next letter.

I don’t think of any more this time. So good evening. This from your son,

Gustavis Gould

Write soon. Don’t wait.