3 CIVIL WAR LETTERS. 5TH. NH. RICHMOND 1862.

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The first two leters are written on laid paper which measures 8 inches by 5 inches folded. These have a horse's head or sea horse's head embossed in the upper left corner. The third letter measures 10 inches by 7 and 3/4 inches folded, and is written on ruled paper. T is an oblong octagonal bordered decoration embossed in the upper left corner but I cannot tell what design is contained inside the border. The two small letters are in excellent condition. The large leter has small holes at the junctions of the folds. is a rough copy of the text of these letters.Letter #1 Five Miles above (Forest)? Point & twenty four from Richmond May 13th 1862 My Dear Mother Having a little leisure this afternoon I thought that I would spend it by writing a line to you. The last I wrote to Lancaster we were at Yorktown some thirty five miles below Thursday we embarked and came up York River to this place w we have remained since yesterday noon & presume we shall stop until tomorrow though we may leave this afternoon. Orders came today to have three days rations cooked. & each man is to carry his own. Orders also came for the men to throw away everything except what it was really necessary to carry, as we were to have ( ) & long marches for a few days. If we do it is going to be very hard for the men & we shall be obliged to leave some upon the way, as the weather is getting quite warm and some of them are not strong enough to stand a very hard seige. I expect out destination is Richmond, from t I know nothing about our ( ). It is stated to day that the Rebels are evacuating Richmond. if so we shall be obliged to follow them farther. Our Regiment - seem anxiouys to have a chance to fight. - I consider it hard to be kept back. We are now in a beautiful country. I understand this evening that the Rebels are to make a stand at Bottom Bridge a crossing of the Chickahominy River if they do t will be some more fighting soon. I think we have them pretty well penned now since the James River is opened. I have not time to write much more in this but will write again soon. I want to see you all very much and am in hoes to before very long now. I have been very happy to hear that your health has been so good & that you have been able to bear up under all of your troubles - it is my prayer that you will be sustained through all. I am very glad James and D - are with you I shall feel much easier about you. My health is now quite good though I was sick a few weeks agao - had a Bilious Fever went from 175 lbs to 155 lbs. I am now gaining that. The Chaplain just looked up in to my face and said "You look tough John, you look tough" I guess that I am turned up pretty well and do look tough as he said. I had a letter from Celia a short time ago. She was well except a headache. Has Martha got home yet - I want to hear from her as soon as she get home. I send in this of the Rebel "Shin plasters" They are pretty cheap now. We shant leave before tomorrow or next day. I want to hear from you all, as often as you can write. I wrote to Franklin some time ago but have received no answer. Give my love to all of our family and accept a great deal from your son John. Added on the front page is: Direct letters as before to Washington D.C. I have written this letter in great haste & do not know if you can read it - J LETTER #2 Camp Victory Fairoak Va. June 6th 1862 My Dear Mother I write just a line to let you know of my safety. Our Division had a hard fight - & 5th N.H. was among the bravest of the brave. It took place last Sunday Our Reg. lost - killed 24. Wounded 131 Missing 30. Many of the wounded have since died. Col Cross does great honor to himself He cheered his men on til he fell wounded in the leg. but I think he will save it without an amputation. I have had to work very hard night and day, until day before yesterday when I had the misfortune to have a knife stuck in my right arm, just above the elbow. It is very ... read more

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