75th New York Infantry - Wounded at Port Hudson, LA & Killed at Winchester, VA

Item LTR-9695

Description

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


Near Washington, VA
August 3, 1864

Dear Parents and Brother,

You see by the heading of this that we have moved off again. We are now about six miles from Washington to stop the Rebel Raiders. We have had pretty hard times since I wrote my last letter. Let me tell you about how much we have moved.

That night that I wrote you that letter we were ordered into the rifle pits and about midnight we were ordered to pack up and take two days rations with us and cross the river and reinforce Hancock. That was one day and one night without rest. We had part of the next night to ourselves. The next we were ordered to start again. We crossed the river again and got to our old camp. About 4 o’clock we laid down thinking that we were going to have that night to rest but not so. After we had fairly got to sleep we were routed out again and started for Bermuda Hundred and went on board the boat and started for Washington.

We arrived there the next day about 4 o’clock and laid down to rest again. About 12 o’clock we were routed out again and arrived here yesterday morning. I don’t know how long we will stay here. We are liable to start any minute.

I received a letter from you day before yesterday and from Sophia May for Fitch Wilcox. Tell her that he is in Company E yet. I can’t think of anything else to write at present. I am well and hope that this will find you the same.

Please write us soon as you get this and direct to
Company G, 75th New York Veteran Volunteers
Washington, DC
19th Army Corps

Please send me some money as soon as possible.

Sylvester J. White