5th Maryland Infantry - Captured at Winchester

Item LTR-8876

Description

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


Fort Delaware, Delaware

April 10, 1864

My Dearest Mother,

I received your kind letter on yesterday dated the fourth and was glad to hear from you and to hear that you were well, as this finds me at present. I received a letter from Georgeanna on Thursday last and they were all well. Johnny is well and I have no doubt will remain here the balance of his term of service. As the General thinks a great deal of him and he seems to like the place which is a great deal more than I do. There is some talk of our regiment being ordered to the front. And I have no doubt that we shall leave here very soon. Some say that we are to join Burnside’s Expedition and others say that we are to go down to Texas. What direction we shall take, I am not able to say. But I am sure of one thing. And that is that we will not be kept here very long. For our services are much more needed in other quarters. Everything now appearing to the army is on the move and I think that in the course of a few weeks, you will hear of one of the greatest battles being fought on record. I believe that we have the right general in the right place. I mean Grant. And if he is as successful in the command of the Army of the Potomac as he has been with the Army of the West, I think that we will soon see the end of this unholy rebellion.

In the absence of any other news of interest, I have endeavored to give you some little idea of what may be expected of our armies in the coming campaign and it may not be interesting to you. As I know that the people of our state are very much divided, as you well know. And as I have had but one objective view from the beginning of this rebellion to the present time. And that is to try in my weak way to crush out this uncalled for and unholy rebellion. I will assure you that it is not a sectional matter with me. As I have not taken any part in politics since the commencement of this rebellion. Nor neither do I intend the sole objective that I have in view is to try and bring about a restoration of this once happy country. You stated in your letter that you thought that in these money-making times that I could do better at home with my family. I am sure that I could do fully as well and it may be that I could do better. And I am sure that my presence is needed at home. But these are times when every man who has the good of his country at heart should sacrifice everything and his life, if need be, in order to restore the peace and happiness of this once happy country. And should the worst befall me, my family can point with pride in future times to one who willingly sacrifices his all to the good of his country.

May the God of wars speedily terminate and crush out this unholy rebellion, is the prayers of,

Your Dutiful Son,

William H. Irving
Captain, Company D
5th Maryland Volunteer Infantry