The Civil War Letters
Camp Hamilton
December 5 to end of 1861
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The Civil War LettersCamp HamiltonDecember 5 to end of 1861 |
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December 5th,
1861
Note: the year on
the original letter was incorrectly written as 1862 by William.
Weather is very cold with snow, rain and a freeze. Everything is covered with ice and sleet. They have to knock about to keep the Blood in circulating.
Maggie sent cooked ducks, preserves and current loaf which were all first rate.
He is cheered by her letters and is sorry to have been so foolish and headstrong to leave her so soon after they married.
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December 6th,
1861
He got paid and
will bring money with him at Christmas as he hopes to get a furlough. There
are only 2 per company but if anyone gets one he will get it.
Very cold, snowstorm, rain and wind of the ocean.
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December 14th,
1861
The Captain reneged
on a promised Christmas furlough for William, giving the two allotted furloughs
to other men and he is very angry about it. He will settle up with the Captain
after the war if they meet in Philadelphia even if he has to "turn him
upside down".
"Please excuse the poor letter" as he is very "vexed".
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December 22nd,
1861
He's still angry
over the loss of the furlough but is getting over it. His love for her is sustaining
him.
His father is going to try to move from Reading to Philadelphia where his sister has a job in the mill.
He wishes a steady job for his father - finding his own job more steady than he likes and lasting him longer than he cares about.
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December 22nd,
1861
Note that he has
sent $30.00 in treasury notes to her by Adams Express, how to claim it and that
it is as good as gold.
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End of December,
1861
He received her
letter with $3.00 - still no pay for him.
He hopes Congress will settle this "war affair" when it meets at Washington. People get tired of this sort of work (soldiering) for it is really no trade at all.
He misses her and feels bad at having enlisted but looks forward to brighter days.
He can see the Rebels at Sewell's Point with a spyglass but there is no fighting.
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