Words: Charles Wellilngton Reed, 9th Massachuessets Light Artillery
“It’s with great difficulty one can get a chance to write, little small tents and someone continually running in and out.”
-”Dear sister Helen,” August 20, 1862
Camp Sigel,Readvillee
“We arrived here day before yesterday, slept on the ground that night near our horses and being very tired slept soundly.”
-”Dear Mother,” September 8, 1862
CampSeymourr, one mile fromWashingtonn
“I have just had supper, and enjoyed a ciggarette, and am now writing you on a barrel head. Myself and the second bugler have a large wall tent all by ourselves in the rear of the captains, which is satisfactory to all of us making ourselves at home.”
-”Ma Chere Sœur” (my dear sister) Helen, September 22, 1862
CampChasee,Arlington Heightss
“It’s been raining since friday night. I rather like it, for it has settled the abominable heat, and is deliciously cool but is growing quite cold.”
-” Dear Helen,” October 12, 1862
Camp Chase, Arlington Heights
“6:30 a.m.”
-”Dear Mother,” January 30, 1863
Fort Ramsay, Upton Hill, Va
“Digging rocks out of the snow to make a fireplace.”
-”Dear Mother,” December 9, 1862
Fort Ramsay, Upton Jill, Va
“Entrance in rear of fort.”
-”Dear Mother,” January 12, 1863
Fort Ramsay, Upton Hill, Va
“My tent.”
-”Dear Mother,” January 9, 1863
Fort Ramsay, Upton Hill, Va
“Our new captain arrived here and is a regular aristocrat..he is worse than any regular that ever breathed, here it is in the worst part of the winter..but he ordered light roll calls every day. for the health of the men, it has already begun to tell on some of them.”
-”Dear Sister Helen,” March 9, 1863
Fort Ramsay, Upton Hill, Va
“Yesterday our new captain took us out for the first time, i think he understand his business, lately he has relaxed his strictures in regard to drills. i think if the men behave and show a good spirit, do what they say without grumbling they will be treated better.”
-”Dear Mother,” March 13, 1863
Fort Ramsay, Upton Hill, Va