Item Description: Letter,19 March 1863, from Charles W. Hill, serving with the 5th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry in New Bern, N.C., to his wife Martha Hill in West Medway, Mass. Letter mentions military movements of his regiment and brigade, dislike of a superior officer’s mishandling of soldiers’ pay, a conversation with Confederate General J. Johnston Pettigrew’s servant who had recently escaped, and general morale.
Item Citation: From folder 63 of the Federal Solders’ Letters #3185, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Item Transcription:
Dear Martha
I wrote you
Last Monday and sent by Charles
Lorry which I presume you have
received by this time. Lorry was
a happy boy when he found he was
about to get his discharge. I do not
think he was well neither do
I think he was as unwell as he
seemed to be. I think you will
find him about the same Chas
Lorry that he used to be.
I sent by him a book which I have
Had ever since we went to Hamilton
& Williamston or rather the Chaplin
has kept it for me a good part of
the time. It got somewhat dam-
aged while I was in camp but I
thought you would value it as a relic
from “Dixie.” I sent all my old letters
but three. I couldn’t bear to be without
any. I have changed somewhat since
I have been here about reading
letters over the second time. Some
Of yours have been read a great many
times.
I wrote you how surely the Rebs
had been here. We feel quite im-
posed upon. It has been “all quiet
on the Neuse” since I wrote. What
their object in making the attack
was I do not know, unless it was
to surprise and capture the camp
across the river.
The brigade to which the 44th belong
have been sent to Washington N.C.
and were to march back. There
is a rumour today that they have
had a fight but it is not yet con-
firmed. The brigade to which our
Reg belongs have been ordered to
Plymouth to throw up breastworks.
The 25th have gone. Went last night.
Our Reg will not go. I understand as
it is necessary to have a reg where our
camp is and ours is already there.
I am rather glad as I do not like
Plymouth very well. And if the reg
were going I presume I should be call-
ed in, while if they stay here I shall
not be. I think on the whole I like
“down town” full as well as I should
in camp, although I should go back
cheerfully if called for. I have been
here longer now than I expected to
be when I first came. It will be
two months tomorrow since we were
detailed. I do not have a very
great respect for Mr. Means as a
man. Although of course I respect
him as my superior in position.
I find he has two sides. A very
selfish heart. Still he has always
been kind and pleasant to me.
You will notice that the new
conscription law cuts off the extra
pay of detailed men. I am afraid
through Mr Means indifferent careless
mess that we shall not get what
would be due us for our time before
the law passed. He should have our
names entered with the Quarter Master
I presume he will put it off until too
late. Still At the same pay I rather
be here than with the reg. Still I
want what is due me if I can get it.
This is to you I do not say it here.
I saw and had quite a talk with
Gen. Pettigrew’s servant yesterday. He
made his escape last Sunday.
He says he has been with the Gen
ever since the war broke out. Was quite
an intelligent negro said he could
read and write some. Said he heard
them talk about attacking Newbern
didn’t know why they didn’t, thinks
they got frightened from him. I got
the confederate note you will find
in this letter. So much to remember
Gen Pettigrew by. A mail has
arrived from New York this eve but
we have not got our letters yet. If I do
not get one from you I shall be disappointed
I am afraid we shall not get them brought
It is rather hard waiting when we know a
mail is in. I will write no more tonight
hope to get time to add more tomorrow. The
mail goes Saturday I could fill a good many
sheets if I had time Good night to you all
From your own “Johnny” (C W Hill)
I want to see you very
much but I think it the
wisest way is just [feel?]
that it can not be now and
wait patiently for the time
to come. Let us each
cheerfully do the work
before us whatever it may
be and the time will
not seem long I love to
feel as I always have been
able to that I can rely
[?] on your love and
regard what ever others
may think or say.
It makes a man feel
strong to know that
he is all the world to
somebody But I must
stop goodnight Charles
