12th New Hampshire Infantry

Item LTR-6786

Description

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


Camp near Falmouth, Virginia

June 1st 1863

Friend Mary,

We cam in from picket yesterday afternoon and before sending the letter this morning, I wrote awhile on picket. I will write a few lines to you. I am much obliged to you for the papers you sent me.

There is nothing new here to write about. Only, we hear the rebels are across the river some 20 miles above, in considerable force, but I guess they are making no general movement. I only wish they would move towards Washington far enough for us to get into their rear. And then we would like to pitch into them.

Bill Martin of our company died yesterday. His wound was not very bad. Only a flesh wound in the arm. But he brought on the diarrhea and the fever by eating everything he could get hold of. And that killed him. I am afraid Charles Smith will soon follow. But his courage keeps him up. My chum, Ben Strains continues quite sick. But we hope he will soon be better.

We get news from New Hampshire that Colonel Potter is dead and from him that he is doing well. Which would you believe? We hear that he has been exchanged. If that is the case, he will probably soon be with us again.

We hear nothing new about our furlough, although we have not ceased to hope.

I am glad to hear that Louis is doing so well. I have had only one letter from him, but am expecting another.

When he was wounded, he threw off his knapsack and haversack. Orderly Hall picked up his haversack after the fight and I have now got it. I thought he might like it if he should live and not come back. Hall got it when he was prisoner.

Corporal Howard Taylor of Company C, told me last night that when he was wounded, he had not fired but one round. That he went directly off the field and when he got a little to the rear, but a little while after he found Captain Fowler. He said he asked the Captain where the 12th was. And he said he did not know. He said it was all cut up and scattered everywhere. We were probably at that time in the woods fighting, where he left us.

I think the officers from Bristol have not done the town any credit. Captain was brave with his fists, but when the bullets whistle, he is a coward.




I would like to have you write whenever you have leisure and I will try and give you good one in return.

From your Friend,

R. W. Musgrove

(To Miss Mary Woolson)