The Civil War Letters
Camp Hamilton
April 9 to May 10, 1862
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The Civil War LettersCamp HamiltonApril 9 to May 10, 1862 |
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April 9th, 1862
He has gotten some
other shirts and wants for nothing in the dry goods line.
He is Sergeant of the Guard today and it is very cold
Sends his best respects to the family, his father and Uncle John.
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April 17th,
1862
Just back from picket
duty. Merrimac, Jamestown and Yorktown steamers as well as 4 or 5 other Rebel
war steamers have been visible for the past week, but no fighting yet.
His brother John is before Yorktown and the troops are having a hard time - no tents, bad weather. He has missed seeing him. Thinks there will be a big battle at Yorktown - Rebels strongly fortified and 100,000 troops to back up.
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April 26th,
1862
Letters from both
Maggie and Sister Jane and a daughter has been born. He can't get a furlough
until Yorktown is taken.
Maggie asks about a name for their baby but he tells her she can "call it any name she thinks best". He will "leave it to your choice whatever you call the little Darling".
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May 3rd, 1862
Maggie has suffered
since the birth of their child and it grieves him. He looks forward to being
together again.
Noise of fighting over by Yorktown. Hard work making roads, throwing up entrenchments and mounting guns.
It has rained everyday the past week.
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May 8th, 1862
Maggie is better
except for her breasts.
A fight at Sewell's point and they have shelled the Rebels. Are now ready to march at a moments notice - the tents are all down. He believes they are going to Norfolk.
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May 10th, 1862
After one night
of being packed and ready to move they were told to put up their tents again
so it doesn't look like they will be leaving at all.
Some fighting of the Merrimac and Monitor.
He thinks that the chances of a fight for him are very slim.
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