14th New Hampshire - Killed at Opequan, VA

Item LTR-8893

Description

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


Office Central, Guard House
Washington, D.C.
November 23rd 1863

Brother Seth

Dear Sir! I will enclose a few lines to you for I have forgotten whether I owe you a letter or not. Our regiment has been under marching orders for some time. But we probably shall remain in the City until Spring now for every other regiment has orders off and it leaves only our regiment in the City for duty except the Invalid Corps and our Colonel had orders yesterday to institute a patrol to patrol the City. So I guess they think the 14th Regiment is to be depended on or they would send us away. But never mind, we will have enough of it sometime (I guess). I never have written to you I believe about my allotments. You may think strange because it is stopped but since I have been detached I am paid on different rolls from what the regiment is so of course they know nothing about the allotment (also paid by a different Pay Master).

My commission has not come yet all right. It came once but it was wrong and so the Old Colonel sent it back and I have not heard a word from it since. We expect it every day until it comes. I think as soon as I get it I shall try for a furlough. It has been over a year since I was at home and I am getting (not homesick) but would like to see Old Claremont once more (and I think I will). The news is here that Mead is on the advance in good earnest now. I will send you a paper. Harvey H. Sargent has obtained a furlough for 15 days. He was inspected by a surgeon at Alexandria and condemned. So he went into the Invalid Corps. He never will get shot. I am well and getting good pay. Expect better by and by. All that keeps me from being a Brigadier General is because I have no horse to ride. I am going to get one soon. Give my love to Lizzie and the children.

Very Respectfully,

Your Brother,
H. S. Paul