13th Wisconsin Infantry

Item LTR-8472

Description

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


Camp Bigney Near Nashville
December 5th 1863

Dear Friend,

It is with pleasure I seat myself to pen you a few lines to let you know that I received yours this morning and was glad to hear from you. I was on picket yesterday and had a pretty good time until this morning. It rained all the while I was on the last relief. Our countersign was Missionary Ridge. Last night, when I relieved my man, he had forgotten the countersign. He thought awhile and then told me that it was Sanitary Hills. He gave in to the joke and treated to the apples. The night was very dark and I had rather a rough beat. I fell into a little creek two or three times and if I didn’t get wet. I don’t want a cent. We had a good fire and soon got dry again. There is quite a talk about the veteran service. Some are agoing to enlist again. But here is one that don’t go very soon again after I get out of this. I have heard of the Draft and they couldn’t have done any better. They had ought to have gone before I have. Satterlee, Parkins boys, and William Johnson could have gone before. Just as well as not. They will try the rest after a while. I understand that John Satterlee was afraid he would never come back. I am sure he won’t if he runs from battle. But worse than all the rest, he will be shot by his comrades. I have seen two shot by his own boys for desertion and theft. I hope those that is drafted will have a good time after we get out. This I think I will stand a draft when I get out of this before I will enlist again, until I know what kind of officers I am going under.

Well Neal, there is no news to write. Only the prisoners of the late battles. They going through here by the hundreds and thousands. Every train is loaded with the poor devils and I pity them for some hasn’t a shoe to their feet and some no coat. They are very poorly clad. Well Neal, I will come to a close by sending you all my best wishes and respect.

Yours truly, write soon,

George S. Sherman

Direct to Company E, 13th Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers, Nashville, Tennessee.

P.S. You must excuse all mistakes for I have to write on my knee.

Good bye.