38th New Jersey Infantry

Item LTR-7553

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 2 pages, written in period ink.


Fort Powhatan
Jan 5th 1865

Dear Parents,

I received a letter from George tonight dated Jan 1st and with a letter to his two last ones some time ago which I suppose you have not got. I am in the best of health and I hope you are all the same. I did not know that Owen had went on the Butler expedition. I suppose that George will have left home before you get this. I don’t think we will leave here soon at least not this winter. We are stockading the breastworks grading inside them and improving the place considerable. We had about one inch of snow fall night before last. The weather is now clear and pleasant. We got the box on the 27th of Dec, 25 days on the road everything safe, not an article spoiled. The regiment is very healthy all well from our neighborhood. One great advantage to us here, we have good water runs a stream about as large again as a hydrant. I would be willing to give $200 if it was long side our barnyard. Let me know how you and Taylor make out with the work. If you can, I would buy and get that fence up along that hedge and wheat field. Save much trouble next summer when the rails split and laid up. I think we will get paid off at least by March and $75 or $100 pay and bounty will be coming to you. Tell Taylor to write and let me know how the colt and calves are getting along.

Write soon

Your affectionate son

Britton C. Smith

Two stamps in George’s letter came safe.