Part 18
In my last letter, written three days ago, I promised to write one more letter from the army. The chances are that if I do not write _now_ I may not have another opportunity, as we are evidently getting in trim to move within a day or two, and we may not get settled down again until we are discharged. Last night an order came here that all men in the regiment who are unable to travel in light marching order shall be sent at once to the division hospital. We will doubtless move very soon—perhaps before tomorrow morning. Hen. Pillsbury has just come in with the news, coming from Dr. Merrow, that we will march within a few hours, a good part of Butler’s force going to reinforce Grant. If so, we will have some hard marching to do.
Now that the time for my release draws nigh, I must say I am getting very impatient. Bill Ramsdell says: “When I get my discharge in my hand, I shall feel as if I had shaken off a man who for three years has had his hand at my throat, trying to strangle me.” And with his experience, I do not wonder that he feels that way.
Since I began this letter the preparations for departure have set in in good earnest. The shovels which we have used in throwing up defensive works are being loaded up, the sick men have taken up their line of march for the hospitals, and the cooks are busy preparing two days’ rations. If Grant has got Lee back pretty well toward Richmond, it may not be a very hard march to join him. But if he is still at the Anna rivers we will have some right smart “huffing” to do. At any rate, I will not be troubled with a heavy load—only what I may need to make myself comfortable. I have turned in my horse, and will “frog it” with the boys, which will be rather pleasant, and I will not have the horse to care for. It has been some time since I have received a letter from you, but suppose you do not write for fear I may not get it, being liable to start for home any day. Good bye, for a very short time.
* * * * *
_This was the Soldier Boy’s last letter from the army. The Eighteenth Army Corps did join Grant, being transported to White House, on the Pamunky, by water. The Second gloriously maintained its ancient reputation in the sanguinary battle of Cold Harbor, and an ill fate took heavy toll from the little handful of old men whose faces were already turned joyously toward home and the loved ones. Three company commanders—including Captain Gordon—were killed, and the rank and file were decimated. Immediately after this terrible sacrifice the remnant returned to New Hampshire and were mustered out._
FOOTNOTE:
[1] Many, many years afterward, Ed. came from Dayton, Ohio—where he was an inmate of the National Military Home—to the Weirs reunion, especially “to see Mart. Haynes.” There, in the Second Regiment house, he told to an interested audience the story of his being wounded and of being discovered and relieved by me, substantially as given in my letter, but with greater elaboration and detail. And he closed with a climax which I had omitted in my letter and in the long lapse of years had all but forgotten. “Then Mart. said, ‘Ed., it’s going to rain, and you are in no shape to lay out without any cover. I’ve lost my whole outfit, but I’ll see if I can’t pick up something for you.’ And he went off, and in half an hour he came back. He said, ‘Don’t ask any questions, Ed.’ And he covered me up with an officer’s overcoat—a splendid garment, heavily braided—tucked me in, and made me comfortable. I honestly believe he saved my life.” I loathe a thief, but I am glad I stole that overcoat.
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Transcriber’s Note (continued)
Obvious punctuation errors in the transcribed text have been repaired. Variations in spelling and hyphenation have been retained as published in the original book, except as follows:
Page 10 – “tommorrow” changed to “tomorrow” (he will be hanged today or tomorrow)
Page 12 – “ammunion” changed to “ammunition” (a large supply of ammunition)
Page 13 – “Centerville” changed to “Centreville” (were encamped about a mile from Centreville)
Page 14 – “Centerville” changed to “Centreville” (Before reaching Centreville)
Page 24 – “pleasares” changed to “pleasures” (the pleasures of letter-writing)
Page 25 – “divison” changed to “division” (The infantry of this division)
Page 32 – “dischagre” changed to “discharge” (accidental discharge)
Page 35 – “a wouldn’t” changed to “I wouldn’t” (it was a question sometimes whether I wouldn’t)
Page 35 – “sightseeing” changed to “sight-seeing” (who drop down sight-seeing)
Page 43 – “seige” changed to “siege” (siege artillery)
Page 44 – “probable” changed to “probably” (our camp is probably a mile and a half from)
Page 52 – “venomons” changed to “venomous” (fairly venomous)
Page 53 – “to to take” changed to “to take” (joined in season to take
## part in the fight)
Page 58 – “to to be” changed to “to be” (Company I happened to be one)
Page 60 – “seive” changed to “sieve” (a fine sieve)
Page 67 – “a lots” changed to “a lot” (The actual fate of a lot of the boys)
Page 69 – “Bull Ren” changed to “Bull Run” (killed at Bull Run)
Page 70 – “tournequit” changed to “tourniquet” (pocket tourniquet)
Page 70 – “To-night” changed to “Tonight” (NB ‘tonight’ used 18 times, ‘to-night’ this once)
Page 74 – “reboubts” changed to “redoubts” (There are redoubts and rifle pits)
Page 86 – “may” changed to “way” (made its way back to the old camps)
Page 90 – “Sergeant Major” changed to “Sergeant-Major” (Frank Wasley is now Sergeant-Major)
Page 93 – “as it it is” changed to “as it is” (as it is a delightful location)
Page 132 – “matrass” changed to “mattress” (a good mattress, made by filling my bunk with hay)
Page 134 – “matrass” changed to “mattress” (a good mattress and half a dozen quilts)
Page 146 – “Farnham” changed to “Farnam” (You ask me about Charlie Farnam)
Page 157 – “nonchalently” changed to “nonchalantly” (I answered, nonchalantly,)
Page 164 – “seige” changed to “siege” (the siege is still going on)
Page 169 – “throught” changed to “thought” (One time I thought there would be)
The single footnote has been re-indexed using a number and moved to the end of the book.