21st Massachusetts Infantry - Killed at Petersburg - NEW

Item LTR-11847

Description

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


Hatteras Inlet
Onboard Steamer Northerner
 
Sunday
January 19^th 1862
 
Dear Brother,
 
And now take my pen in hand to writing you a few lines. I am well and hope you are the same.
 
I received your letter dated December 16th, but not till it was too late to try to get you to come on. We embarked on board the Steamer Northerner on the first Monday in January and sailed for Fortress Monroe on Thursday the 10th. We arrived at the fort on Friday at about 5:00 p.m. and again sailed from there on Saturday at midnight. We arrived here at Hatteras on Monday morning.
 
As we lay at anchor, we have Fort Hatteras and Clark on our right and Pamlico Sound on our left in the distance. Hatteras is a desolate-looking place, being nothing more than a small bar of sand, which is partly overflowed at high tide.
 
The forts are small but mounted with heavy guns, which can sink any ship that undertakes to cross the bar. The bar is a dangerous place itself, and it is not safe to cross only in calm weather. Then it is very rough and tosses the ships about like a feather. One of our ships ran up on the bar and is a total loss. We have got everything of any value off from it, and now it lays there, a massive ruin.
 
We are expecting to leave and go some 40 miles from here to attack a fort with some 25,000 inmates and troops which have it in their hands. I have written to Mary and cousins, and as for Martha, I have not heard from her for some time, but I am expecting a letter every mail that comes. Charlie was well and going to school the last I heard from him. Cousins were well and send their best respects to you and would like to have you write.
 
Tell Vienna that I am much obliged to her for her note and will try and do as much for her. But I must stop for this time, and as soon as we get on Terrafirma, I will write again, that is, if I do not get a taste of coal lead which lays me out.
 
Give my best respects to all inquiring friends and my love to you. I give my directions on the other side. 
 
George W. Mixter
Care of Captain C. F. Wolcott
Company B, 21st Regiment Mass Volunteers
Second Brigade, Burnside's Expedition
via Fortress Monroe. 
 
Write soon and oblige.
 
Your affectionate brother, 
 
George W. Mixter