29th Massachusetts Infantry - Wounded at White Oak Swamp

Item LTR-6655

Description

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

Colonel E. W. Pierce
Communication

Monday, May 19th [1862]

Lieutenant,

My dear young friend. Yours of the 15th has just been received.

I nominated you for 2nd lieutenant a few days ago. The notice of your appointment will be sent to me and then I will shall have to notify you. This will cause delay so you had better go to Taunton and see Doctor Henry B. Wheelwright and tell him I wrote about having you appointed and ask him to do me the favor to have your appointment made at once and also that he will notify you when it is made.

You can then without waiting for your commission come right on and find me as soon as you can. Don’t wait for your commission for you will not get it. It will go through General Wool and myself. So don’t delay a moment. Please tell my wife I want some cotton stockings.

I have this month received orders to leave the Naval Buildings in Portsmouth and take up my line of march further down in Dixie land.

We have been in Portsmouth since Wednesday morning. We were near Norfolk from Sunday noon till Wednesday.

Please say to my wife that I am in good health and good spirits and that her management at home is very pleasing to me.

In a devil of a hurry.

I am forever,

Your friend,



E. W. Pierce
Colonel
Commanding
29th Regiment