33rd Pennsylvania Infantry - Killed at Cloyd's Mountain, WV

Item LTR-8133

Description

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


Camp 4th Regiment Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps
Near Martinsburg, WV

January 20th 1864

Dear Anna,

I wrote you a few days ago. I have since received yours of the 17th. There is nothing the matter with me now but a cold. The night the regiment started, I was sick from not eating anything from breakfast until the next morning and being out most of the time until 2 a.m.. We are here for the purpose of strengthening the position at Martinsburg. I suppose the force of infantry here is not now over 1500. I saw in the Inquirer that the 2nd Reserves were in Philadelphia. This is the only information I have. Some 90 of the 4th have reenlisted.

The Government is probably sending troops to strengthen Echo Point and to replace those regiments that have reenlisted and gone on furlough. They probably want to prevent anymore damage to the Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road also.

Can you send me the Company and Regiments of Cavalry to which Lieutenant Harrison is attached? Averill has a brigade of some 1500 men.

The 7th and 8th Regiments were at Alexandria a few days ago and did not seem preparing to move. Dr. Collins, of the 3rd, tried to come here but cannot get a pass from General Augur.

Ellen, Zelda and Nellie were in camp when we left. They went with me to Washington and then home. Ellen was with me nearly ten months. Says she like camp better than home, which is more than I do. She, however, saw only the pleasant part of soldiering.

Yesterday, our Cavalry were at Winchester, 22 miles from here, and report no Rebels near there. We appear to be further from them now than before.

With love to yourself and kind regards to all friends.

I remain Affectionately Your Brother,

R. H. W.

Miss Anna A. Woolworth
Wilmington, Delaware