5th & 7th New Jersey Infantry

Item LTR-8909

Description

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


Camp 5th Regiment New Jersey Volunteers
Near Petersburg, VA
July 9, 1864

My Dear Wife,

Yours of July 4th came late last night. I had been asleep an hour or more when I was disturbed by someone calling the orderly (who tents with me). I heard “Orderly of A, get your mail” and I was wide awake right away. The Tribune and Daily also came. One of my letters must be lost. I sent one (I think it was June 26) enclosing some Secesh poetry on the “Homespun Dress.” If you do not get it I will copy the poetry again and send it to you. It is evening now and this is the first good opportunity I have had to write to you today. Captain is making out his Ordnance Returns for this quarter and, as all the papers have to be given in duplicate or triplicate, there is a great deal of writing to do. He makes the first copy and [I] copy the others for him. The regiment sent out a picket detail this evening and Captain went with it. If I continue writing for the Captain my penmanship will be better than it was when I came into the army. I think I have improved some already.

We are quite peaceable here yet. There is a battery about 200 yards to the right of our regiment, which threw a few shots this afternoon, the first time they have opened for two weeks. The Rebels did not reply while our guns were firing; they commenced about an hour after, and threw about 25 shells, our guns remaining silent while they were firing. Both batteries are long range guns and are distant at least two miles from each other.

I have written so much today that I am tired, but I shall have time enough tomorrow; I will stop now. Good night.

July 9th – Evening – I stopped writing last night thinking I would have plenty of time to write today, but I was mistaken. I have been busy since daylight this morning. Our Pay Rolls came back to us this morning and after I finished some vouchers and statements pertaining to the Ordnance Returns I first went to work on them. We did not know it was necessary to state the amount of bounty due each one, as that was put on the rolls of April 30th, but the paymaster sent them back to have that put on. At noon I commenced cooking my dinner and before I could finish that, we had orders to move immediately. I carried my dinner along and have since finished cooking it – just in time for supper. We moved about ¼ of a mile; I put my tent up and fixed things; then cooked supper. And now it is past sundown. We have plenty of water here; a half dozen wells are within 30 yards of my tent.

I have another copy of the poetry on the “Homespun Dress” and send it in this letter. I must close now.

Your Affectionate Husband
Henry Powers

Carrie D. Powers