17th Vermont Infantry - Execution Letter

Item LTR-6506

Description

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

February 10, 1865
Camp in Fort Davis
Near Petersburg, VA

Ever remembered and never forgotten friends,

I embrace this opportunity to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well and feeling first rate. I received your kind letter this morning and read it with much pleasure. I am glad to hear that you are all alive and well.

I went today and saw a man shot, he was a deserter to the enemy. He came back and lived in a cave about six months when he was found by some cavalry, arrested and sentenced to be shot.

It was a hard sight but I could not pity him much for he had murdered two men besides deserting.

They formed a square, about half a mile around it, four men deep, then marched him around inside of it up to his coffin. He then sat down on the head of his coffin with his hands handcuffed behind him. Then twelve men fired at him. Six guns were loaded and six was blank. He fell over back on his coffin. That was the last of him.

We have had a hard fight on our left. The report is a heavy loss on both sides. The Rebs say they are a going to stand us another campaign. We had to get up three mornings and stand up to the breastworks from three o’clock to daylight, expecting an attack but they did not attack us. Everything is quiet here now except a good deal of firing on picket.

I came off from picket last night and am a going on again tomorrow night. We have two nights in camp and one on picket. That is the way we go it. Frank Taylor and I tent together and go on picket together. We are both writing tonight. We have a good deal of fun, after all chasing the dam’d maggoty hardtack.

I don’t think of much more this time so I must close by wishing you all good health and prosperity. Accept this from your son.

Gustavus Gould

Dear Mother,

I must write a few lines to you to let you know that I am well and having good times and some hard times.

Mother, I missed you very much today. I have been drawing me some new clothes today, and I have been putting some pockets in my pants. It was rather awkward work for me but I made out to do it in some shape.

I can’t stop to write much this time for my candle is getting short.

Accept this from your son,

Gustavus Gould

Father, I wish you would send me two lbs. of Navy tobacco. Put my account book and knife in with it. You can send it my mail.

We shall be paid off the last of March or the first of April, then I shall get some money. I have got over seventy-five dollars in notes against the boys that I shall get pay day.