1st Delaware Infantry Grouping - Wounded at Bristoe Station

Item LTR-9294

Description

Rare grouping of 6 original Civil War letters related to Private William Murray of Company B & K, 1st Delaware Infantry. (4) letters are written by Murray to his family, (1) letter is written by Murray's company commander, Captain Joseph Nicholls to Murray's sister and (1) letter is written by Cornelia Hancock, female nurse at 3rd Division, 2nd Army Corps Hospital near Brandy Station. Hancock's letter is informing Murray's sister that he has died at the hospital. All letters are written in period ink.

Letter #1
Camp Near Falmouth, Virginia

March 22nd 1863

My Dear Sister,

I take my pen in hand to inform you of my gettings along. I am enjoying good health and most sincerely hope these few lines may find you the same. Dear Sister, I have written you some two or three letters since I left the city. You seem to think hard of me not a writing. I have written dear Sister. I have nothing of any news to interest you down here. I suppose you to hear from me when I write home. You must not think hard of me. My intentions are good if I don’t perform. Dear Sister, everything is quiet here. I intend to try for a furlough soon. For I want to see you all. I long to see you Sister and Father and Mother. May God bless you all. For I leave now. And to bless me here but abide in him. My trust and I hope you will put your trust in your maker. Sister, as soon as there is anything new, I will send you the news. And I hope you will answer my letter. I feel very lonesome here. For it seems a long time since I saw you.

I will have to fetch my letter to a close for the present. Dear Sister, please write soon, for I have to hear from you. Goodbye.

Your affectionate Brother,

William B. Murray
1st Delaware Regiment Volunteers
2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 2nd Army Corps
Camp Near Falmouth, Virginia


Letter #2
Camp Near Falmouth, Virginia

April 1st 1863

My Dear Sister,

I take my pen to inform that I am well and hope these few lines may find you the same. I send you a song. I hope you will like it. For I think it very nice one. Please tell Father I don’t intend to write any more till he writes to me. I think it very hard of him and you for not writing to me.

We expect to get paid in a few days. It is so reported that the paymaster is here tonight.

I wrote to Isaac the same time that I wrote to you. If you can get a good song, send it to me if you please. We expect to move soon. I guess we will have some hard fighting to do before we get to Richmond.

Give my love to Father and Mother and yourself and all the family and all inquiring friends. Please answer soon.

Your affectionate Brother,

William B. Murray

Goodbye for the present.
Excuse my bad writing and all mistakes.


Company B, 1st Regiment Delaware Volunteers
2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 2nd Army Corps
Camp near the Falmouth, Virginia


Letter #3
Headquarters, Camp Near Falmouth, Virginia

April 13th 1863

Dear Sister,

I take my pen in hand to let you know that I am well and hope these few lines will find you the same. I received the tobacco today and was very glad to get it. I would like to know the reason that you don’t answer my letters and why you don’t write longer letters. I have written two letters to Father and have not received any answer. And if they don’t write to me, I will not write to them anymore. You can tell Father Ben Murray has been discharged out of the 24th New Jersey. I saw Bill and John Goulet. Dear sister, I don’t intend to write to you or Father until you write to me. I have begun to think that Father and Mother and all have forsaken me.

No more at present. But give my love to Father, Mother and sister and all of my friends. I still remain your brother until death.

William Murray

Write as soon as you get this letter. When you write, let me know where to direct your letters to. For I heard that you had moved.


Letter #4
Headquarters, 1st Regiment Delaware Volunteers
Camp Near Warrenton, Virginia

October 25th 1863

Miss Murray,

My duty sergeant having stated to me that it was necessary for you to have a certificate stating that your brother was in the U.S. Service in order to enable you to procure work at the Philadelphia Arsenal. I do hereby certify that William B. Murray belongs to Company B, 1st Delaware Volunteers. He has always been a good faithful soldier is now suffering from the effects of a wound received in the late fight at Bristoe Station.

Yours Very Respectfully,

Joseph C. Nicholls
Captain
Commanding
Company B
1st Delaware Volunteers

Letter #5
Camp Near the Rapidan

February 29th 1864

My Dear Sister,

I take the present opportunity of penning you a few lines hoping they find you enjoying good health. But I am very sorry to say I have been very sick for the last two weeks. I am in the Regimental Hospital for the last week. I would of wrote you before this, but I have not been able to do anything. I have got what is called chronic diarrhea. I guess I will be sent to Washington Hospital next week. The regiment got orders to be ready to march at a moments notice. They are holding themselves in readiness.

Will you please send me your picture my dear sister. Give my love to all inquiring friends and Father and Mother.

Dear sister, please excuse this short letter for I feel so bad. I must go and lay down.

Please write as soon as you get this. Goodbye. May the blessing of God be with you.

I remain your affectionate Brother,

William B. Murray

Direct your letter:

Company B, 1st Regiment Delaware Volunteers
2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 2nd Army Corps
Camp near the Rapidan, Virginia

Goodbye for the present.


Letter #6
3rd Division, 2nd Corps Hospital

March 23rd 1864

Miss Emma Murray,

I have the painful intelligence to communicate to you that your brother died in this hospital today after a lingering illness of chronic diarrhea. He was carefully nursed and a good doctor attended him twice every day. Had oysters, eggs and almost anything which he wished to eat. I cooked all the victuals he ate after he came here. He was with us about two weeks. He was paid and about $66 was upon his person, that I believe is in charge of Dr. Maull of the 1st Delaware Regiment. I have two rings and a photograph of yourself, which I will mail to you.

Sympathizing sincerely with your loss.

I remain yours truly,

Miss Hancock
3rd Division, 2nd Corps

If you wish any further information direct:

Dr. Miller
Assistant Secretary
3rd Division, 2nd Corps Hospital
Near Brandy Station, Virginia