7th Massachusetts Infantry - Wounded at Wilderness

Item LTR-8699

Description

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


Camp Near Stafford Court House

November 27th 1862

Uncle James

Dear Sir,

Yours of the 16th inst is received and I was glad to hear that you and the rest of your family were well as regards to health. As usual, mine never was better and rations or at least my part of them disappear with a rapidity no way slow. If they could only get rid of rebs as quick as I can of my hard bread and pork salt. I should soon be on my way homeward bound rejoicing as it is Uncle Sam will have to board me some time I fear, unless something happens.

We have been in our present camp somewhere about 10 days or 2 weeks. We are having quite a rest from marching which part of soldiering we have done considerable at since we joined the regiment. Of all the blessings attending this business, marching is the greatest curse. Get a confounded heavy load strapped tightly to your back. Cartridge box with the rounds of lead pellets, a 14 pound gun, a haversack with 4 or 5 day rations, with other articles which come in use with a 10 or 15 mile tramp every day for a week in wet weather as well as fine. It makes a fellow think of Alec’s saying James wept while Molly slept. There is where the sailors have the advantage of a soldier in this war with his comfortable quarters and his chest or cloth bag.

But it is not all bad here. For we have our good times as well as our bad. For we sometimes have a rest and then we are all right. Our tents are pitched in some pleasant place. Sometimes in the open fields, often in the woods, always where water is plenty and running. Cooks Stand put up pickets, put out all around, gun and other traps, cleaned up and down, you’re set nothing to do, but take your turn doing guard duty or fatigue. But that duty does not come often where there is so many together.

You will generally find them lounging around camp, reading papers, writing letters, playing crib or 15 two or little ante when they have any greenbacks and sometimes we have great arguments going on. I hear some of them blowing now outside of my tent. One of the many bellowing McClellan as big a man as Saint Patrick or any other man. (The soldier all think here nobody as good as Mac.) Sometimes we have singing going on in the evening and story telling to pass away time. And big stories you will often hear from the old hands of what he has seen and what he has done on the Peninsula. Wait till some of them get home if you want to hear blowing. Oh, my! But they all curse soldiering and would gladly get out of it if they could and some of them you may have heard are have talked to depart without leave but I write no names. For no tales out of school are tolerated here. I was glad you were so prompt answering my letter and only wish some of my correspondence were equally so for a letter from home and friends are always welcome and are looked for every mail with eagerness.

Please give my respects to my Aunt Mary and the hero. Also to Mr. and Mrs. Downing, other relatives and friends of New Boston.

I wish I were there to get an apple to eat just now. Tell Frank Dean I should like to have him write. The boys are all well here and send their best respects to you. Tell Mrs. Terry that I am well and if she still resides at 37 Union Street, that I am wanting for tobacco.

Give my best respect to all the folks and inquiring friends.

Write soon and oblige.

Yours Truly,

Charles W. Terry