13th & 30th Maine Infantry

Item LTR-11269

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 2 pages, written in period pencil.


Tuesday
January 31, 1865
 
Since I wrote the other part of this letter, I have been down to Harper’s Ferry guarding some rebel prisoners who were captured by some of our scouts.
 
I had just finished the letter when our orderly came and told me to take my blankets and two days to go on guard and I did not have a chance to direct the envelope.
 
Harper’s Ferry is about 25 miles from here and when we get there, we had to go to Washington with them.  They did not seem to be sorry that they had been taken for they were ragged and half-starved and some of them said that the Confederacy was played out and thought that would be soon declared
 
When we come away from Washington there was some talk that Mr. Blair had got back from Richmond and the rebels were willing to come back with the Union on any terms.  As which I hope they will for there won’t be much ground left for the Rebs to fight on.
 
I shall close now as it is almost tattoo.
 
Good bye.
 
From your son,
 
D. Jewett