Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- units:21st_massachusetts_primary_sources [2019/06/13 14:14]
admin
+++ units:21st_massachusetts_primary_sources [2019/07/02 12:47] (current)
admin
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[units:21st Massachusetts Infantry|Back to 21st Massachusetts Infantry]]
+----
+Annapolas Junction\\
+Aug 30th, 1861
+Dear Berdille
+Since I last wrote
+we have pitched our moving
+tents one days march - farther
+from home. Rather unexpectedly
+we recd orders to move to the seat
+of war.  It is understood the
+the Col. went down to Gen Dixs
+quarters at Ft McHenry and
+represented to him that we were
+hardly in condition yet for active
+service and so wee were sent
+to take the place of
+a Penn. Reg. That was quartered
+partly here and party at the
+Naval Academy at Annapolis
+The Ashburnham Spring field
+expenses & our Company
+are here under command
+of Capt Walker of Ashburnham
+our duty is to keep watch of
+the Railroad and all the
+roads that crow it within ten
+miles toward Washington and
+three the other way.  Those corp-
+orals and 33 men were detailed
+From our Co and I presume
+the other Cos as the same.  The people have a holy honor of the
+Massachusetts men.  The men
+that were here report that the
+people with whom they have come
+in contact expressed to them
+their respect that they were to
+leave as they were afraid that
+Mass. Men would be substituted
+the proportion of secessionist
+in many secesh to one union.
+If the men like the business
+and do it to the satisfaction
+of all concerned I don't know
+when we shall see them again.
+The men that were here had
+Not seen some of those first
+sent out though they had been
+here four weeks. The Sergeant
+goes out everyday with the
+rations and if any one wishes
+to change he has the privelege
+of doing so and some one is
+sent in his place. I didn't
+happen to be detailed for
+which I don't know whether
+I am glad or sorry. They
+stop every body that passes
+an search till they are
+satisfied even to unrolling
+the stocking in his valise.
+The Company that left today
+got goods of the value of $800.
+in one hand, and have got
+near $2000 worth since they
+have been here.  There is a
+rumor about the camp this
+P. M that we are to move again
+soon. Whether true or not
+I can't tell.  If we move
+I shall give you earliest
+information of the same.
+I don't know and better
+way than to direct letters
+to the last place you know
+of our being and they will follow.  It seems to me that it
+is about time for one for me
+to catch me.  Of course I look
+to you among you to write
+often.
+Saturday morn.  I didn't get
+time to finish this last evening
+so take an hour before breakfast.
+We had an alarm in the night.
+Some one of the guard round the
+encampment saw or dreamed something suspicious and fired on it
+and those near him instead of
+passing along the watchword as
+they should, they discharged their
+pieces.  The word of alarm is Boston
+and in case of trouble the guard
+should shout that and every soldier
+should repeat the word and rush
+for his quarters. The Companies
+all came on a line at the alarm
+but it proved that these was nothing
+at all the matter and we went back
+to bed.  This is decidedly the most
+shake ground that we have been on
+secession without and Irish within
+I presume I shall be on guard
+today & tonight and will have
+to look out for more things than
+I have even had to.  I only wish
+we had one do the better disciplined
+Companies instead of one that is
+here which is of that sort of material that can't learn anything
+and can't be relied on for what
+they know.  Most of our Co. can
+be relied on as can the Ashburnham.
+The other two are of another sort.
+Sereno has been appointed an
+Corporal in place of Bryant who
+goes as waggoner.  He has just come
+in to the tent with some braid
+with which to put on the stripes
+as is going to sew it on himself.
+So you know that Lydia Ann
+Gates did that job for us at Worcester?  I write to Lenny to send
+with this and think I will direct
+It to him.  I think I am getting
+toughened by the knocking round
+we get. I can sleep on the ground
+or on bare boards and don't see
+but I rest as well as in a bed.
+Not but that I would rather if I
+could creep into the old nest
+after the days [...]
+here with all the inconveniences
+and hardships hasnt affect me
+a bit. We are in a very pleasant
+situation so far as a good ground
+is concerned.
+I have no time for more this morn.
+God bless and keep you all is
+the prayer of yours
+Wyman
+Letter of E. Wyman Stone\\
+Gilder-Lehrman Collection, 2182.
 ----

Howard County, MD in the Civil War

User Tools

Site Tools

Differences

Page Tools