Letter from Henry, dated 1862-07-14

Ponder this well. Camp Near Harrison's Landing Va July 14th 1862

My Dear Friend-

You doubtless are suprised in not hearing from me in so long a time, but it is not because I have not written. I have written you twice since I received your second letter. In the first of the two was enclosed a letter from your Mother which was sent by you. That letter came back to the Regt. again. I wrote one also to send in a letter which Hiram was writing to you. Whether he ever sent it or not I do not know. I presume he did not as it was just before our grand skedaddle. How I can get a letter up there and make it stick I don't know, but I will try at any rate.

I cannot give you all the details of our change of position. When I see you I will tell you all I know about it. The train was all got off safely but one Wagon. Ed. Snow ran against a tree and had to leave his wagon and load. I was in one place where the balls came in pretty near but none of them happened to [mean?] me. Several came near Capt. Wetherell They make rather unpleasant music.

The army is not badly used up or dispirritful. We had a weeks hard fighting, but the rebels are welcome to all they gained. We had to destroy many stores and what is worst of all, our sick and wounded fell into their hands. The 5th Vermont suffered most. They have but about three hundred left. The other regiments lost some. Our company has not had a man hit thus far in any action.

We have had some men die since you have heard from us. [Bent?] and one of the Recruits from our [le-.?] The Standard Bearer is dead also. Persons has been discharged and Newton has been appointed Sergt. The boys are quite well. The Capt & Lieuts. bully. Lt. Harvey was a frightened man the day the teams were fired into. He was acting [2sMm?] and was with the train. He says a shell came near enough to make his horse crouch and the wind of it blew his hat off. He is reported to have left in a hurry. What he will do when he goes into battle is a question. Lieut Tracy is reported to have been the coolest man in the 4th. They will soon cease to make sport of him.

I have received letters from Home, Mary and, and Sister Delia since I last wrote you. Father was unwell when he wrote. He has overworked and needs rest. I wish he was in a situation so he could [page break] live more easily. He has too large a farm and don't feel able to hire, and so digs away himself like an old slave. I hope I shall be able to help him sometimes, but my own debts are not paid yet and they wear away slowly at $24 per month with considerable outgoes. I fail of extra pay here.

Now William I am going to give you a little advice I see no chance for you to go home on recruiting service. Capt Foster has done nothing but speak to the Colonel about it and there the matter rests. If you recover and come back you can never do duty in the company. If you come back again I do not think Capt. Wetherell would employ you, for he has laid much blame to your charge in regard to the [1st 2n's] Papers and told me one day he would have given three hundred dollars if I had never introduced you to him. These and other things lead me to believe he will not have you again in his office. Of course I know the injustice of all this and well know with your manifold duties, you did all in your power. You are sick in Washington and don't seem to gain much, slowly at best, with frequent relapses I fear. If after you partially recover you come this much farther south, you will surely be sick again, and then there will be

no alternative but lie down here and die. In short I think you were unwell when you enlisted and have been ever since. Now if you regard your own life of any consequence, if you have have any regard for the feelings of your friends, take a discharge and go home. Why should you stay where there is no prospect of recovery. It is but one form of suicide. Go home, get well under the excellent care you will receive there and you can find positions. Enough. Capt [Piskin?] would give you now fifty dollars per month if you were free and well. You can find something more lucrative than servind in the ranks, and in you [sic] case there is not the least dishonor in accepting a discharge and no one will think there is. I firmly believe the only way for you to get out of this with life and any degree of health is to go home. You may not like the tenor of this letter but, I write my firm convictions. Capt W. is still with us. Capt P. I think will never come into this Brigade. He has charge of all the hands laborers at the landing. He likes it better than a Brigade. Hiram is in Boston. Your Extra Pay I can draw for you if you will send me power of attorney. It amounts to $26.25. Please write as soon as you receive this. Your Friend

Henry.

Camp near Harrison's Landing VA July 14th 1862

Ponder this well.

My Dear Friend,

You doubtless are surprised in not hearing from me in so long a time, but it is not because I have not written. I have written you twice since I received your second letter. In the first of the two was enclosed a letter from your Mother which was sent by you. That letter came back to the Regt. again. I wrote one also to send in a letter which Hiram was writing to you. Whether he ever sent it or not I do not know. I presume he did not as it was just before our grand skedaddle. How I can get a letter up there and make it stick I don't know, but I will try at any rate.

I cannot give you all the details of our change of position. When I see you I will tell you all I know about it. The train was all got off safely but one Wagon. Ed Snow ran against a tree and had to leave his wagon and load. I was in one place where the balls came in pretty near byt none of them happened to mean me. Several came near Capt. Wetherell. They make rather unpleasant music.

The army is not badly used up or dispirited. We had a weeks hard fighting, but the rebels are welcome to all they gained. We had to destroy many stores and what is worst of all our sick and wounded fell into their hands. The 5th Vermont suffered most. They have but about three hundred left. The other regiments lost some. Our company has not had a man hit thus far in any action. We have had some men die since you have heard from us. Bert and one of the recruits from our Co. The Standard Bearer is dead also. Persons has been discharged and Newton has been appointed Sergt. The boys are quite well. The Capt. and Lieuts. bully. Lt. Harvey was a frightened man the day the teams were fired into. He was acting Quarter Master and was with the train. He says a shall came near enough to make his horse crouch and the wind of it blew his hatt off. He is reported to have left in a hurry. What he will do when he goes into battle is a great question. Lieut. Tracy is reported to have been the coolest man in the 4th. They will soon cease to make sport of him.

I have received letters from Horace, Mary, and Sister Delia since I last wrote you. Father was unwell when he wrote. He has overworked and needs rest. I wish he was in a situation so he could live more easily. He has too large a farm and don't feel able to hire and so he digs away himself like an old slave. I hope I shall be able to help him sometime, but my own debts are not paid yet and they wear away slowly at $24 per month with considerable outgoes. I fail of extra pay here.

Now William I am going to give you a little advice. I see no chance for you to go home on recruiting service. Capt. Foster has done nothing but speak to the Colonel about it and there the matter rests. If you recover and come back you can never do duty in the company. If you come back again I do not think Capt. Wetherell would employ you, for he has laid much blame to your charge in regard to the 1st Quarter's Papers, and told me one day he would have given three hundred dollars if I had never introduced you to him. These and other things lead me to believe he will not have you again in his office. Of course I know the injustice of all this and well

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