5th & 24th Massachusetts Infantry - Wounded at Deep Bottom Run, VA

Item LTR-9412

Description

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


Bermuda Hundred, VA
January 18th 1865

My Dear Lizzy,

I am most happy to acknowledge the receipt of your kind letter of the 14th. I get a letter almost every day now and it is real nice. I had just got in from a homestead ride when the mail got in this morning and the first thing that caught my vision was your letter and papers. Adjutant Stoddard, Quartermaster Wilson (my 1st Lieutenant) and Frank Chaffee accompanied me this afternoon. And we called on some of the natives and had quite a good time. I received a letter from Frank DePeyster yesterday. He is having a splendid time at his home in Ohio and wishes that this child could be with him. I should like that pretty well but should prefer Amehurst for a month first.

I hardly know what I have been writing. For I have had company all the morning.

We had very good news last evening and that was that Fort Fisher was taken. I was well satisfied that it would be taken when this last expedition started with General Terry at the head. General Ord is now in command of the Army of the James but we hear that General Hunter is going to have command of it soon. Major Ordway of the 24th Massachusetts Volunteers has been appointed Provost Marshal of the Army of the James and the Regiment will probably retain him on duty for some time.

You say that Will Worcester has gotten home all right. I am glad of it.

Please remember me to Mary. She says that her Mother’s name was Bell!

Please to ask her if her mother had a one eyed brother that used to raise a great many “Ducks” and used to feed them with a “Q”. I should like to see you when you read this letter. I don’t know now when I shall get home. For they have stopped all furloughs and leaves of absence except in very urgent causes and on a doctor’s certificate of disability and I don’t think I shall be able to get the latter very soon for I was never so ill in my life.

Goodnight my dear and write soon too.
Yours very truly,

A. M. Hayward