50th Illinois Infantry & 44th United States Colored Troops

Item LTR-11180

Description

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



Corinth, Mississippi
 November 30^th 1862
 
Dear Mother,
 
I received your letter of the 22^nd inst. this morning and have now just sat down to answer it. I am indeed sorry to hear of your poor health and I am afraid that you worry about the present state of affairs and have more cares on your mind than what you are able to bear. Try and take things easy if possible. I enjoy myself well.  That is when I have favorable news from home. I am sure I don’t know where you found that nice letter paper of mine, for the love letters I wrote before I came into service were very few in number.   As I showed my ignorance in the start.  I am careful now who I write to and how I write. I have got a “portfolio” in which I keep pens, paper, stamps and envelopes, which I keep locked up so that I know where to go to when I want to write. This morning my hand is stiff and nervous, for yesterday I chopped wood all day, and not being used to it, I now have sore hands and stiff limbs. I received two letters from Father within the last week.  One was written while at home and one since he arrived at camp. O! how I wish I was at home just on the account of those rebel sympathizers that are among you.  Although not a fighting character, I would like to whip some of those thieving characters that are taking advantage of our absence. I will not harbor evil thoughts. 
 
 The Major has just been in to inspect our tent and said there was going to be preaching at 2 o’clock this afternoon. Last Sunday Colonel Bane spoke after the chaplain got through, on character, which was very much needed.  I think it had a good effect. For Colonel Bane exerts a great influence, and I am happy to say he is exerting it for good. He is beloved by all of his own regiment and also by all others who know him.  We feel proud of having such a Colonel.  I am sorry Captain Burnham is not here.  For we are very much in need of a commander. Our second lieutenant has command of the Company now.  But he is not energetic enough. For he lets the boys do pretty much as they please. An officer who does not exert his authority and enforce discipline, is not fit to be an officer.  But I do not want to say anything against our 2^ndLieutenant (Sam Starrett) for in the last fight, he was wounded in his right hand, the ball striking the hilt of his sword, knocking it out of his hand and slightly wounding him. The next day, he took command of the company and went in pursuit of the rebels with his hand hung in a sling, which is more than many others would have done. 
 
My overcoat is not lost as I told in my last letter.  But I have it and I am very comfortably situated. I thank you very much for those mittens and needle case and for fixing my overcoat. I bought a piece of a coon skin for 15 cents to have fixed on the collar so that when the wind blows it will keep my neck and ears warm. All I want you to send by the captain is that book The Science of Phonography or short hand writing.  I am now studying grammar and I am going to try and perfect myself in that branch of science. Ed Pyles gave it to me as a present so you see I have some friends left yet. I shall not ask you for anything more very soon. I can get along without a rubber blanket now as I have my overcoat. 
 
The report was that we were to be paid off this week.  But I do not see any signs of our being paid right away.  So, I cannot promise you any money this time.  But when I do get it, Mother, I will remember you. Our company paper has not come out yet. Uncle Ed undertook the task of editor but as he received no contributions—he had nothing to edit. We spend our evenings either at prayer meetings or hold Bible class and sometimes hold debates.  When I say we, I mean a small minority of the company.  Some, I am sorry to say, take no pride in trying to improve their minds or moral culture. The tent that I am in, the majority of us try to live right and I can see that our influence is felt and respected by the rest of our tent mates. 
 
It is reported that the rebels are coming on this place with 20 thousand men and if it to be so, I do not care, for I believe we can whip them if we do number only five thousand and I am willing to fight as many more battles as I have if necessary to close this war. You will excuse mistakes, etc..
 
This is from your affectionate son,
 
Thaddeus W. Hinckley