34th New York Infantry - NEW

Item LTR-11845

Description

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

Camp Falmouth, Virginia
Thursday
April 16^th 1863
 
Father and Mother, Sisters and Brother,
 
As I told you, I would write before the move or battle if I had the opportunity. I have the opportunity, and so I will write one letter to you all, for I can't write any more in one than in the other. We were to move yesterday morning at 6 o'clock. But heavy rain set in, which has kept us back from the move, but today it is all cleared up very nice. We expect orders every day and every moment to march.
 
We have eight days' rations ready, five in my knapsack and three in my haversack. They have taken all of our clothes that wasn't needed, but I was on picket, so I hadn't had any chance to send anything forward. I liked to have sent off my dress coat and also a blanket, for I have too much to carry, but when I draw them, I will stay with them, whether I get taken prisoner or not.
 
The time will seem long before I shall write again, as I have no paper nor ink, nor any take-along. It seems still longer for me to wait for a letter from some of you. I have looked with an anxious eye when the mail arrived to see if I couldn't hear from you, but disappointed as usual.
 
Oh, how I dread the next coming battle! It is likely all we ever will go in, but that there are so few of us, and still we have to take our place as a regiment in battle and fight five times our number. By all appearances, we put great confidence in winning the next coming battle. And without, we fight with the determination of earlier days on the battlefield, or else conquer our enemy.
 
Why they will think that we don't mean to fight because time is so near, and that if I have to fight such great odds as we have in other battles, why I don't think the old 34 will be very apt to stand. What is the use of me writing to ease your minds if I am to be spared and get through all safe? Why, it will be so, we must trust the best, but after the 1st of May, I think my fighting is done with.
 
The damn paymaster hasn't been around yet, nor will he be until after the upcoming battle is over, for fear if there is any of the boys' skins out and they can't march if they have their pay. They are all right, but if we have money coming, they can take it, but the bounty they can't touch, nor have we had a chance to touch it.
 
Well, I haven't much to write. The wagon train is moving up to the right. The talk is that Stonewall Jackson is in the rear of us with 50,000 men. If so, we will have to fall back, but I think we will have to cross the Rappahannock again, and then a real struggle will take place, for the rebels look at the next coming battle as closing the war, or else crushing them forever.
 
Now, I know this will make you feel uneasy, but trust me, if I am spared to write, that you shall hear better news. 
 
Write soon, and don't wait so long. I will have to send this without any stamp, for I have neither money nor stamps anymore. 
 
I remain your son and brother, 
 
Philip Crewell