1st Maryland Potomac Home Brigade & 13th Maryland Infantry

Item LTR-9439

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 5 pages, written in period ink.


Camp at Noland’s Ferry
April 15, 1864

Beloved Wife,

As I had nothing to do I thought I would commence a letter to you to let you know how we are getting along. We are all well at present and sincerely trust you are enjoying the same blessing. I wrote a letter to you the first of this week. I have been looking for one from some of you every day this week but have got none yet. I wrote Tommy Wiley a letter this week. Perhaps he will get it tomorrow.

We are here along the river guarding the ferry and bridge but are looking for marching orders every day. We live pretty well here now. Some of our boys went a fishing the other day and caught a mess of very nice fish which we cooked for supper. We went out and bought a pound of butter and took pretty near the half of it to cook the fish. Our lieutenant has gone to Sandy Hook to get his commission and as soon as he comes back, we intent to apply for a furlough home. I would like to be at home with you all again and do hope the time will soon come when we will all meet again.

The camp will sing sometimes, “Who will care for mother now?” which is enough to bring tears to any person’s eyes to think of it. This is the day the draft comes off. I would like to hear from old Fann how she comes “making up her quota.” If the draft comes off, I want you to let me know who is drafted.

I feel glad that you have found out where Sally is. If she is at home, I want you to give my love to her as I do respect and regard her as a sister. But as for her husband, I have no particular love for him as I am confident he is not the right kind of a man. I have found since I come down here that he is nothing but a common private, getting his 13 dollars per month. Those shoulder straps and stripes and sword harness were all to show off. He would have to throw them all away when he went back so you may know how the money went. I think Sally need not look for him or his money anymore after this (I am sorry to say it).

April 17th. I will begin again. Yesterday was wet and disagreeable with us and this morning is not much better. I got very cold in our tent this morning and there was a canal boat lying here so we went in and it was very comfortable in there. It is now hailing considerable – lumps down on us. Last night and night before last was very disagreeable to stand guard. Our turn comes tomorrow night. We have none out only at night. I cannot tell you when I will be at home. Perhaps before this reaches you and perhaps not for some time. We are going out fishing this evening to put in time. There are a great many fish here – very large ones too.

I was sitting on a plate of an old warehouse alongside of the canal that the Rebels burned when Charles Grove made a jump to get on it and went into the canal out of sight. He come up and as luck would have it, swam ashore. There is some talk of us going down to Sandy Hook but I think we will stay where we are awhile as it is a necessary point. Our colonel was to have been here yesterday but on account of the weather, he did not get along. As soon as he comes, I think we will get home.

You said you received a letter from Solomon. I was glad to hear it. I want you to please answer it. I wrote to him when we were in Camp Lafayette but have received no answer. You said David Pyle had gone to the army. I was surprised to hear it as Huddy was so chicken-hearted and as for little Abe, I was glad he did not come with us and we have a very good crowd. We are allowed to go over into Virginia some of these times on a raid for eggs and chickens as it is just on the other side of the river. We cross in canoes.

It is cleared up now very pretty and I am glad to see it for it rains an hour here, it makes the roads knee deep with mud. On the opposite side of the river a ridge of mountains with valleys through them but no farming done on account of the armies.

April 18th. Monday morning. The sun has come out very nice. We are all about to do our washing. We all took out clothing off and a grand hunt for greybacks. They all found plenty of them but John Howitt and me. We were clear of them. I must quit scribbling as I have no more room unless I put in another sheet. My love to you all and a kiss to Foster for me. Give my best respects to Mary A. Hersey for me. When I come home, I will bring you them things you spoke of if we come through Baltimore, which I want to do on account of y certificate.

Susie, I must draw these few lines to a close in order to get it to the office in time for the train. You said mother and Mary talked of going over the river the last of next month. I would like to get home before they went for I want to see all my friends. I would like to fill this sheet but I have not time.

Yours with love and respects,
Joseph S. Hersey

To Susie L. Hersey
My love to all enquiring friends

Directions: Point of Rocks, MD
1st Maryland Regiment. Potomac Home Brigade, Company C,
In care of Captain Faithful