210th Pennsylvania Infantry

Item LTR-7921

Description

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


U.S. Christian Commission
Headquarters of the Army of the Potomac

March 13th 1865

Dear Sister Louisa,

I now take this opportunity to write a few lines to you and hope this to find you and all of the rest in good health. As this leaves me, I am well at present. But have not got very strong yet, am rather weak. But able to do my duty. We are now encamped on the new land taken on the last raid near Stoney Creek and about 18 miles from City Point by railroad. We have a railroad right by our camp. Grant builds railroads as fast as the Army moves. They build about one mile per day, one month to go about ¾ of the land around here was heavy pine timbers. But now the woods have nearly all disappeared and the white tents are to be seen in every direction. The country here is not cleared as much as Ulysses. But are larger farms but very few. The battle here on the last raid was in the woods. I was sick at the time, so that I could not go with the regiment. But perhaps I shall not be lucky enough or unlucky to keep out of the next. Which time is not far distant.

I like this country very well or the climate in the winter. But may not like it as well in the summer. We have not had more than ½ inches of snow this winter. But have had a few cold days, but not many at a time. It has only been frozen hard enough to bear up way and horses more than four or five days at a time this winter. And now we are having warm June days but about many nights very cold for the days.

I think the rebellion is fast playing out unless our army does have so bad luck. Which I hope we shall not have any more as we have had enough years past. You may think that I ought to have wrote to you before but will try to do better here after, if you will answer this. I am very busy all the time.

Good bye with my best wishes,

E. H.

Oh, Louisa, I forgot to wish you much joy with your new brother. How do you like him and how does he look? Where does he live and where are they going to live? Are they going to keep house this summer or not? Tell Roseline to write a few lines with yours and I will send them some books to read from the Christian Commission as I can get some.

This from your brother,

E. Hackett

My time in the army is one half out. Then I can go home and see you all. Give my best respects to Mother