2nd Vermont Infantry – The Famous Vermont Brigade – William Stowe Writes from Camp Lincoln, Va. & Talks with a 2nd Georgia Picket!
This 4-page letter in ink was written by William Stowe, a resident of Calais, Vermont. William’s specialty was run-on sentences, so we have taken the liberty of correcting. VERY NICE CONTENT. He enlisted in May of 1861 and served faithfully UNTIL KILLED ALMOST 3 YEARS TO THE DAY FROM HIS ENLISTMENT AT THE BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS! Here is the content:
- Camp Lincoln, VA. June 24th, 1862. Dear Father, once more I will try and write a few lines let you know that my health is good and am in hopes yours is the same.
- Lewis is at the White House he is getting better, he said to me in a line that one of our boys fetched to me from him. Mr. F. J. Hasting is at the White House as a waiter and he will not see him suffer for anything that he can get for him. I am certain of that.
- Father, have you got the power of Attorney that I sent for you to draw Lewis’ extra state pay. He is anxious to know whether you have got it or not.
- I WAS ON PICKET NIGHT BEFORE LAST. THE ENEMY’S PICKET AND OURS ARE NOT MORE THAN 10 RODS APART AND IN PLAIN SIGHT.
- I SPOKE WITH OF THE 2nd GEORGIA REGIMENT. HE WAS ON HIS POST AND I WAS ON MINE. I ASKED HIM IF HE DIDN’T LEAVE HOME WHEN THEY LEFT THEIR FORTIFICATIONS AT YORKTOWN AND HE SAID HE DID.
- HE SAID THEY WAS AFRAID OF OUR GUNBOATS. WE TOLD HIM THAT WE COULD TAKE IT BY A SIEGE. HE SAID HE KNEW MCCLELLAN WAS HELL ON A SIEGE.
- HE WANTED TO CHANGE PAPERS WITH ME BUT THAT IS AGAINST OUR ORDERS. HE SEEMED TO TALK AS THOUGH HE HAD GOT TIRED OF THE WAR AND WANTED TO HAVE THE THING SETTLED.
- THE BOYS OF OUR DIVISION HAVE MADE AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN OURSELVES AND THE REBEL PICKET NOT TO SHOOT EACH OTHER WHILE ON PICKET, AND IT WORKS FIRST RATE. IT DOESN’T HELP THE CAUSE ON EITHER SIDE TO SHOOT THE PICKET AND IT IS MUCH PLEASANTER DOING PICKET DUTY IN THIS WAY.
- For the past week there hasn’t been any shooting in front of our division. We are on the bank of the Chickahominy.
- THE MOST INTERESTING THING THAT HAS HAPPENED IS OUR MEN HAVE GOT A LOT OF EMPTY BARRELS AND CRACKER BOXES AND PILED THEM UP SO THE REBELS CAN SEE THEM. ONCE THEY HAVE CHARGED ON THEM TWICE THINKING OF GETTING SOME RATIONS AND WE HAVE GOT ANY AMOUNT OF ARTILLERY, AND WE OPEN THEM ON THE HUNGRY REBELS.
- The boys say they can see Richmond from the top of the —-barrels end boxes. Father, I have sent a watch with one that George-Voodry has sent to Winslow. I want you to keep that till further orders.
- Please write soon this from your dear son in hast, William Stowe.
- Written on the side of the page: Mother, here is a peach leaf that grows close to my tent.
The 2nd Georgia picket was in Toomb’s Brigade, Magruder’s Division. Quite an interesting little antidote.
Condition: The ink has faded a bit and there is some spotting. If the letter was nice dark ink, this would be a $500+ letter.
#L6-24-62VT – Price $250
