43rd New York Infantry - Captured at Mary's Heights & Wounded at Spotsylvania

Item LTR-9704

Description

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


October 9th 1862

Dear Mother,

It is now sometime since I wrote to you and I have not received a letter yet. So I will write another. Friday, 2nd, we left Camp Baker and traveled a great many miles by boat and railroad and about 20 miles by foot and now we are reunited with the old 43rd about 12 miles from Hagerstown near the Potomac River in Maryland. We arrived here in good health and spirits yesterday. We are under marching orders and we are near the Rebels so I do not know how soon we will be called upon to meet the enemy. But as I volunteered to fight for my Country and the glorious stars and stripes I am not alarmed in the least. Captain Burhans has promoted me to the rank of Corporal and I suppose you are not sorry to hear it. I did not ask for it so I suppose the Captain put in the one he thought the best qualified for the office. I suppose you would like to hear an account of our journey so I will tell you. Last Friday 3rd we started from Camp Baker (with rations of hard crackers and coffee and sugar for 2 days) and was headed for Alexandria. We then took the boat for Washington. We stayed at Washington two days and nights and started for Fredericksburg Sunday night and arrive there Monday evening. We then marched through Harpers Ferry and encamped for the night on the ground. In the morning we started for the Old Regiment and marched about 15 miles and encamped on the ground where a great battle was fought a short time ago. In the morning we started for the old regiment and arrived here about noon. But I do not know how long we shall stay. The Old 43rd (of whom there are about 250) were very glad ot see us and they say that when Stonewall Jackson sees the 43rd coming he will lay down arms and surrender without firing a shot. To show their warm feeling for us they gave three large shouts of applause when we entered camp. As I have not much time to write you must write to Alice Hoag and tell her I am well and give her and all the rest of folks in Saratoga my love. If you have not received my letter tell Hattie and Emma I send tem my love. I wrote a letter to Cousin John Van Allen the same time I wrote to you before. When I have finished this letter, I will write one to Uncle John Decker and direct it to Albany in care of Lawyer Van Allen so you can get it if he doesn’t. When you write again, please tell me where to direct my letter so Isaac DeForrest will receive it.

Give my best respect to Miss Brownell and tell her that she must excuse me for not writing to her now. As I have not time to write to all my friends at once. I have written as much as I can think of at present. So I must close. Keep up good courage for I think I will see you again. Give my love to all inquiring friends.

Yours Respectfully,

Samuel Hoag

Write as soon as you receive this and direct your letters to Company H, 43rd Regiment, New York State Volunteers, Washington District.

Company H, 43rd Regiment New York State Volunteers
Washington, DC