76th New York Infantry

Item LTR-11377

Description

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


4^th Division, 5^th Army Corps Hospital
 July 7^th 1864
 
Dear Brother Levi,
 
It is sometime since I wrote you and now having the opportunity, I think that I will embrace it to write you a letter.  I do not know as I can tell you anything new.  As you have doubtlessly heard from Marietta all of the news that I have written heretofore.  For a long time, it was impossible to write because time and opportunity was not offered.  Since I have been at the hospital, I have had time enough.  But I have had but very little convenience for writing.  You at your distance from us get but a faint idea of a hospital in the field.  Tents set up out of the reach of the shot of the enemy near some shady woods and an abundance of running water are the main features.  Blankets spread on the ground on some pine or cedar boroughs furnish the beds.  The sic or wounded soldier is then placed on these and this is the extent of his bed accommodations.  We have had a terribly trying campaign thus for this spring and summer.  From the Battle of the Wilderness, which commenced on the 5^th day of May till the 6^th day of June, we were never out from under the infantry fire of the enemy.  Fighting in the Wilderness, fighting at Spotsylvania Court House, fighting on the North Anna River.  Fighting at and across the Pamunkey River, fighting on the Chickahominy River and then across the James River.  We are now fighting close to the old town of Petersburg on the south east side.  Our Corps, with its right resting on the rail road running south and its left resting on the Jerusalem Plank Road.  All this long distance.  The different Corps of this Army have been chaffing and fretting against the opposing corps of the enemy.  As they have been fighting to stop our onward progress toward the Rebel Capital.  Since the 16^th day of June, we have been fighting in and about this old town and the rail roads connecting it with Richmond and the country from which the rebels have their supplies.  Now while I write, the splattering of the muskets of the skirmishers as they break through the air and the heavy booming of the artillery and the shrill whistling of the sixty-four pound shell to give animation to things of thinking life in the vicinity of these lines.
 
Our losses have been heavy.  We have but two Captains left in our regiment, only Captain Hatch and myself.  Our Lieutenant Colonel, who was wounded on the 5^th day of May, is now back with us and in command of what is left of the regiment.
 
My health is good and my foot is nearly healed up and I am now just beginning to put it to the ground.  It will be some days before I shall be able to go to the front.  As it will be of no use to go there till I can get about without difficulty.  What the particular movements will be here now, I do not undertake to say.
 
 
I should not wonder, however, if another flack movement should be instituted.  The papers speak of a rebel raid into Maryland and Pennsylvania again.  But they do not give very definite shape to it yet.  Perhaps it will develop its self after a while and then we shall know.  
 
I wish you would send me some postage stamps and I think if you can spare it, you had better send me $10 in U.S. money in your letter.  I do not know when we shall get paid.  
 
General Grant has ordered all Paymasters to pay the General and Staff Officers.  But no provision has been made for the payment of the line.  I have more than eight months’ pay due and probably shall get it before long.  At least as soon as the military movements will allow.
 
My respects to Eliza, Carrie and Little Sammy.
 
Your brother,
 
H. W. Pierce
 
[To] S. S Pierce