Letters from the Front -- New Year's 1863

 

We wish to thank Capt. Dan Ward of the 111^th PA Volunteer Infantry Reenactor group for transcribing this document from an original soldier who served in that unit--Miletus Tuttle, Co B 111^th PVI—written to his family in Venango, Pa.  Enclosed with his letter was that of another to the folks at home. (Spelling and punctuation as in the original.)

                                                                Camp near Fairfax Station Va Jan 2^nd 1863

 Dear and Respected Friends,

   I once more seat myself to write a few lines to you and to commence with. I wish you all a happy New Years. although one day of the New years is passed and gone. Melinor I received your letter a few days ago and was glad to learn that you all enjoy as good health as you did. Yet as Myron I was sorry to hear that your health was so poor. As for my health it is good. I think I never enjoyed better health in my life than Ive ever since. I fully recovered from the fevers.

  Since I wrote to you last we have had conciderable hard marching and a little fighting mixed with it.

We had a 10 days march from Harpers Ferry to Dumfries and back to the Station where we now are. and last Saturday night about 10 o'clock orders came for us to strike tents and get ready to march. we were soon in line and again quick in line of march in the direction of Dumfries. we marched until near 3 o'clock in the morning and encamped in the woods for the rest part of the night and the next morning, we started on and had gone about five miles when we came in contact with some 4 thousand rebel cavalry and had a brush with them but nothing very serious as there was only a few charges made and with little affect. they charged on General Schlocum and Staf and some of the General's bodyguard were wounded. There was only 2 or 8 killed and a few wounded in all. we crossed the Occoquan Creek   within 5 miles of Dumfries and then started back reaching camp 3 days ago but for how long I do not know. The weather is still quite warm and pleasant down here although the nights are cold and frosty.

  how did you all spend Christmas & Newyears I hope none of you are deprived of spending them pleasently on account of sickness. I spent them both here in Camp the same as many others. holydays Sundays and week days are about one and the same in the army. I thought how I should like to be there and take newyears dinner with you although we had a very good one down here which consisted of potatoes bacon hard special Sugars and coffee but I must stop now and be ready for Brigade drill as that is now the order.

  well here I am again seated upon the ground under shelter of our Sibley tent with a small fire in the center which smokes like fury as we have no stove. it is now after dark and I have a bayonet stuck in the ground for a candle stick and Edson is sitting on one side of it writing to his Cousin and I am on the other side. Our drill lasted 2 o'clock until near sundown and was commanded by Gen.Green our Brigadier Gen Geary commands this Division and Schlocum the Corp.

  Melina the slice of dried beef came through Safe and tasted good and old fashioned I wish I had a bbl. of it. I supposed you and Blynn are learning fast this winter at School I judge so by your writing as it is very good indeed. I am almost ashamed of this writing but it coersponds very well with position in which I have to write as the ground is my Seat and a piece of cracker box in my lap for a writing desk.

  I suppose if nothing happens you will soon have the pleasure of visiting with Manley as he is about to get his discharge it will revieve me of a great anxiety when I hear that he has got home for I think he is intitled to his discharge from the service. perhaps you would like to know how I feel in regard to the home question. by this time I should like to see all my friends and have a visit with them but as long as my health is good I have no desire to be discharged from the service until the south is brought to terms or until I have Served my time out. it is here the war seems to be conducted in a bad way many times and many becoming dissatisfied and discouraged even in our army which is not much to be wondered at yet our cause is as good and first as ever and ought not to be deserted on account of the manner in which it is carried out by Some of our leading men of the north this is my feeling and sentiments on the subject.

   I received a letter today from Charlotte Smith with Fannies likeness in it. They were all well. MaryAnn thinks she should come out there in the Spring we were mustered for pay day before yesterday and should look for Mr paymaster along in about two weeks I expect to get 8 months pay to my great surprise on Christmas Eve. my promotion was recent on Dressparade No 5^th Corp.quite a Christmas gift indeed as the Boys called it. Newyears I received a very nice present which was a pair of gloves that Jennells Mother sent to me. I wish I had Something that I could Send to you all for a Newyears present but as I have nothing this letter will have to do by sending with it my kind regards and well wishes to you all and now as the bugles are sounding and drums beating for rollcall I will bid you good evening.  write soon

                                                                                                        Miletus Tuttle

 ___________ 
   

 Respected friend

   I seat myself to fill this vacant place and I hardly know what to write that will prove interesting to you but as a passtime I will say my health is not as good as I wish it was still I keep around and do my duty it being greatly lightened by my Superior Officer showing me some favor on my behalf on the account of poor health.

  I have been out on drill and am so nervous that I don't know as you can read what I write.

 Well I declare here we are soldiering yet and thing look as dark on our side as they did one year ago last Oct when I started out to serve my country. It is first a victory and then a defeat and take it all around it seams we have gained but little but live in hopes is all the consolation now days believing that this dark cloud that now overshadows this once peacefull and prosperous country will finly vanish and the radiant sunshine of freedom and tranquility will burst forth and all will be sunshine again.

  I should like to see you once more and trust I may be spared to return home. for the want of space I will close hoping you will remember me in your next

                                                                                                                E C Hills