23rd Massachusetts Infantry

Item LTR-6812

Description

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


Headquarters 23rd regiment Massachusetts Volunteers
Camp J. A. Andrew
December 22, 1861

Friend Low,

You may think it strange my not writing you before, being an old comrade in arms, but I know you will excuse it. To tell you the truth David the colonel keeps us pretty close to the work. We don’t have much time to spare. I have thought of you a great many times and wished you were with us. We have so many of the old 8th both officers and men that sometimes I really think it is the 8th so if you were here it would confirm it in my mind. When I pass the old railroad which is but a few rods from us, I always think of your running the train over the road so many times during our tramp from Annapolis to the junction.

I have never acknowledged the kindness I received from you in Boston, but accept it now, and let me say it is the most convenient piece of furniture I ever had. Kilby on board the little star steamer from Perryville to Annapolis engraved my name on it, when and by whom it was presented, he done it with a pen knife. They all pronounced it a good piece of work. Well Dave now we are encamped in Maryland awaiting orders to leave for somewhere. We have some twenty transports also Gun & Canal Boats (lying in Annapolis Harbor) so we can’t be going a great ways, but in a short time you will hear of us doing something I have no doubt.

We have got a most splendid division. Our brigade is composed of the 23rd, 25th, 27th 24th Massachusetts and 10th Connecticut, and a bully brigade it is. I am satisfied to go any where with them. If they want to try us in they can do so now. We have our brigade drills every day and it is a most splendid sight. General Burnside is here now making arrangements for our departure. We shall be off soon I have not doubt.

I have just left Captain Center’s quarters, where Tom Russell and Brewster has been dancing. Andrew Wyatt of the band has been playing the violin for them. I tell you the boys are wide awake . Today a detail of a hundred and sixty men to man the gunboats has been taken from our regiment, also three commissioned and fifteen noncommissioned officers to go with them. Russell from Martin’s company, Captain Alexander and his first lieutenant the other two. There is to be a detail of four hundred from the brigade. We had one of the most splendid reviews under Burnside that ever came off. I suppose you have seen an account of it before this time. Excuse my writing and spelling. My tent is so full of smoke I can hardly see the paper and it is now one o’clock at night, so I shall have to turn in. Write soon and let me know the news.

Yours truly,
Andrew Elwell