51st Pennsylvania Infantry

Item LTR-6728

Description

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


Camp Bell
Annapolis, Maryland
March 20, [1864]

Dear Friend,

Harry, I take the opportunity of writing a few lines to you to inform you that I am well and I hope that these few lines may find you enjoying the same good health. I must tell you Harry, I had a big time getting to the regiment. We traveled pretty damn near all over the Union. But here I am safe and sound. I don’t feel very bad about getting arrested as I have seen a good deal of sport, got acquainted with some bully boys. We have heard that Jack Freedly has been arrested for frauding the government. Well, by God, I hope that it is so and they sack him like hell. The son of a bitch ain’t fit to live. If I had the time with him, I would string him up quicker than a cat could lick her ass.

All the boys that did not reenlist are back to the regiment. I don’t know if I will get a regency or not. For my part, I don’t care. I had a pretty good time at home. It is the opinion of all the boys that this war will be over this summer. We have great faith in Old Grant.

Harry, there is not much to write just now. Nothing is going on now but drilling recruits. I have been here at the regiment about a week. As soon as I came to the regiment, I wrote a long letter home and I have not had any answer yet. If I don’t get an answer pretty soon, I will have to write again. It is hard to tell when we will go from here. But it is the opinion that we are going to North or South Carolina. We have a Brigade of N****rs here. They are a going along with us. I have seen Old Brigham and a lot more Norristown n**s in one of the regiemnts.

Now harry, as I have nothing more to write, I must close. Give my respect to Jake and all our family and to all enquiring friends. Now I have done. Write soon.

From your friend,

William Dignan

P.S. Anything I have forgot, please mention.