44th New York Infantry - Twice Wounded

Item LTR-11179

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 4 pages, written in period pencil. (Some seperation on top fold)



Camp near Warrenton Branch, Virginia
November 4^th 1863
 
Dear Parents,
 
I received yours of the 30^th and was glad to hear from you.  I am well and enjoying very good health, which I hope these lines will find you all the same.  You wanted to know where Charles and Ben Johnson were.  Well, as to Ben, he was here yesterday and looks first rate.  Charles, I don’t know where he is.  I haven’t heard anything from the regiment since we left Beverly Ford.  Only what you wrote in your last letter.  I haven’t found out anything about Alexander Ayers yet.  Next time you write, let me know what regiment he is in and then perhaps I can find out something about him.  The first time you wrote, you only stated what Division he was in.  you are very near as bad as the man that came to Aquia Creek and inquired for Company E of the Army of the Potomac.   
 
I am in the same Corps that Alexander is but not the same Division.  We are in the First Division, Third Brigade and First Battalion, Fifth Army Corps.  General Griffin commands the Division.  General Charles Berlin the Brigade, General Sykes the Corps and Colonel Conner the Battalion or Regiment and Captain Fox our Company.  We have got more in the Company; 82 men in the regiment.  There was 261 guns and 353 men in all told in the regiment.  The regiment is getting smaller every day.  A number has gone to Washington to get examined for commissions for the negro regiments.  And there is quite a number have sent their names in for to go in the battery.  I expect that will be off before long. 
 
Well, I don’t know how soon we will go in winter quarters.  It is hard telling.  Some think that we will put up here.  Then again, they say that we are going to the Shenandoah Valley.  I don’t know what to think about the Rebs.  The papers state that they are hard up for shoes, etc..  I see that they have taken all the boots and shoes in Richmond for Lee’s Army.  We were mustered in for pay on the 31^st.  I will send home all that I can possibly afford.  Well, now I will tell you what we have done since the 26^th of October.  On the 26^th we lazed in camp, nothing of importance.  Heard commanding in front, weather clear and cold.  27^th in camp commanding weather, clear and cold.  28^th, 29^th and 30^th Marching orders.  Reveille at 4 o’clock in the morning.  Started at 7 and marched about five miles and encamped at Warrenton Branch, Virginia.  Weather overcast in the afternoon.  Rained in the night.  31^st nothing of importance in camp.  Mustered in for pay.  Weather clear and cold.  Sunday, November the 1^st and 2^nd weather clear and warm.  3^rd same.
 
Well, today is the 4^th and here we are in camp yet.  We have got a very nice place here.  Water handy and roads close by.  I built a fireplace in front of the tent and we can keep quite comfortable.  We lay near the rail road.  The cars are running by the most of the time.
 
How is Al Boucher’s boat?  Is it so that he can go around in it?  If you see him before he leaves, tell him I want him to write.
 
Well, I haven’t got any more to write at present.  I shall have to bring my letter to a close.  Wishing these lines will find you all well.
Don’t forget to send me that handkerchief.  Write soon.
 
From your affectionate son.
 
Isaac Bevier