74th New York Infantry

Item LTR-7389

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 4 pages, written in period ink. Mentions Berdan Sharpshooters.


Camp Winfield Scott near
Yorktown
April 21st 1862

Dear Cousin,

I received a letter from my sister, Clara, in which she informed me that you had concluded not to own me as a cousin seeing that I did not write you. Well as I have but a few cousin. I cannot afford to lose any as long as a few lines is all that is necessary to the preservation of the Union.

I am enjoying pretty good health at present which is the case with the majority of soldiers. We have no disease of any kind in camp at present.

The weather is pretty cool at present and considerable rain has fallen in the last few days. Our camp is situated on an eminence ½ mile from the York River. It is a very beautiful location for camp as well as healthy. The strong breeze that comes from the sea is rather cool at present for comfort, but is nevertheless very wholesome.

We are encamped on a plantation which till the breaking out of the rebellion was occupied by General Magruder, the present commander of the Rebels at Yorktown. His elegant mansion has been converted into a hospital for the wounded Union soldiers.

Our brigade (the Excelsior) is occupying the Peach Orchard which promises an abundant crop but alas for the fortune of war, the traitor general’s prospect of enjoying the proceeds are dull.

My sister stated that you have had two brothers in the army and that one of them had died while you were at Father’s and the other was still with the army. When you write, please give me the regiment and division which he is in.

We have had no fighting of any account here yet. The enemy throws a great many shells, thinking to prevent us from building our batteries. But the work is progressing as speedily as it would if they had been silent and the siege will commence before long.

The succeed in killing some of our boys almost every day. Yesterday, several were killed and wounded. Among them was one lieutenant belonging to the Berdan Sharpshooters who had his leg torn off at the knee by a piece of a shell.

But I must close for the present, hoping that you would excuse this badly written letter and I will promise to write from time to time from your cousin, A.E. Moyn

Address:
A.E. Moyn
Co F, Fifth Regt.
Excelsior Brigade
Washington, DC
Or 74th N.Y. State Vol