19th Massachusetts Infantry - Captured at Petersburg - NEW

Item LTR-11843

Description

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


Camp Lander
December 16, 1861
 
Dear Friend,
 
It is a long time since I heard from you, though I would write and find out what you are about. I am in Maryland, six miles from nowhere on the Potomac River, 12 miles from where we were before in the woods. The camp is called Lander. There is not much to write about now. It is the same thing over and over again. We have to stand guard every other day in account of so many being in the woods building forts. It is colder out here than it is at home. I know we live well out here and have plenty to eat, although you fellers would call it hard. You have to live so one day, but we are used to it.
 
We have taken our pot of coffee and hard bread and make a better meal of it than you could with your hot cake and butter and sauce and anything else you eat. I want you to write and tell how the times are at home and how the health of the people are. I have not been sick but once since I left for the capital of the United States. You ought to see the city, it is not so large as Georgetown and is nothing but a one-horse town.
 
Anyhow, I can't think of more news, so I must close. Give my respects to all.
 
From your friend, 
 
Richard R. Foster
Company C, 19th Regiment
Washington, DC