72nd Pennsylvania Infantry - Baxter's Zouaves

Item LTR-6733

Description

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


Headquarters, 72nd Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers
Near Richmond

June 4th 1862

Dear Harry,

Your welcome letter of May 27th was duly received and I assure you I am glad to hear that your health is much improved. About your many questions you asked me in your last letter. I thought of them, but you may be thankful to receive a few lines from me. You must not think this is Camp Observation where there is plenty of time to do these things. Well, I suppose by the time you receive this, you will have learned of the great battle. Our regiment was drawn up in the battlefield but glad to say did not get into action. Some stray shots came so near to our regiment as to kill Private Riehly of Company F and wounding seven others in different companies. Our regiment is now encamped on the battlefield where several thousand rebels are buried. It was awful. I cannot describe it. I expect soon another engagement will soon come off. If it had not been for our Brigade, the battle would have been lost. We just arrived in time to save Rickert’s Battery. But this battery just moved them down like a farmer would gross. Our loss is very heavy but theirs is much greater. I suppose you can learn more through the papers than I am able to tell you.

Tell George Allen I answered his last letter. Also Charles McNeely and I would like to hear from them both very much.

Harry, you asked me what I would do in your case. That is in rejoining the regiment again. Now if you can get a discharge at Philadelphia, do so and do not think of coming back again. We are now without tents and some times a week or two pass and see no tents and I don’t think you would be able to stand it. Of course you feel well now. But when you get down here and lay on the damp ground, you will in no doubt bring back the same sickness. So if you can stay at home and do so and think not of coming out again. Quartermaster has been restored to duty again. He was placed under arrest for not sending his doctor’s certificate regularly and being away so long. But now it is all right. Joe Loughlin has been reduced from Brigade Commissary Sergeant to his company as Commissary Sergeant on account of selling whiskey. Also Sloan, the wagon master, Julius B. Allen is not commissary of the brigade any more. We have a man by the name of Conkhill and Chambliss is not Quartermaster, another being appointed. He is now on General Burns’ staff. Allen is commissary of our regiment. Sam is still the same old Sam. We have whiskey now served out twice a day to the regiment. They came up in the morning and in the afternoon. They get a half a gill each time. It suits them to death. There is nothing more going on in the company. About your pay. I cannot draw it until you send me the power and that is done by going to an alderman and deputizing me to draw it for you and then I may be able to draw it. Which I will do with pleasure. You ask me if I am tired of war. And sure I am. And the sooner it is over the better. I think it is a dog’s life. We used to live in clover at Observation but I wish you could see us now. I tell you the Fire Zouaves are some account and all though a great deal of by General McClellan. He sent us on a reconnaissance the other day which proved very successful.

Your doctor’s certificate is all right and do the same every month. Heil, Theren, Smith, Graham send theirs. So by doing so may live. Love to one and all and wishing to hear from you soon.

I remain, Yours Truly,

Harry Russell
72nd Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers
Washington, DC