17th Vermont Infantry

Item LTR-6661

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 3 pages written in period ink.


Camp in the Field
Burksville Station, Virginia

April 14th 1865

Dear Father,

I take this opportunity to answer your kind letters of the 3rd and 7th, I got them both today. Your letter of the 3rd went to the 4th Vermont Regiment by a mistake but I got it today alright. It had not been opened.

I am well and tough as a brick. Hoping these few lines will find you all the same. I have been down to the old brigade today. They are camped about one mile from us. I saw a number there that I was acquainted with. I saw Bill Ripley and Edgar Francis, Tom Nee and Connelly, Asa Sanders and a number of others that I am acquainted with. Colonel Randall got back here yesterday.

I see by your letter that you have had the news of the great victories we have gained. The surrender of Petersburg and Richmond was the death blow to the Johnnies. Now Old Lee has surrendered and has gone to surrender Johnson’s army so I don’t see but what the fighting has pretty much played out. We took over seventy-five thousand prisoners from the 2nd of April to the 10th. There is about one thousand prisoners here that we have to guard. But they are paroling them as fast as possible and letting them go home.

I am in hopes we shan’t have to stay out here a great while. I don’t think we shall for the State of Vermont is paying her men seven dollars extra. I think the Vermont troops will be called home as soon as any of them. Write what you think about it and what is said about it up there.

I don’t think of much more this time. So I must close by wishing you good health and prosperity. Write soon and write all the news. Please accept this,

From your son,

Gustavus Gould

To his Father Joseph Gould

I sent you one dollar in that letter dated March the 22nd to buy me some postage stamps. Let me know when you write if you got it.