CIVIL WAR LETTER - 3rd Massachusetts Infantry - SLAVES MISTAKENLY SHOT in FIGHT!

Description

CIVIL WAR LETTER
Co. I, 3rd Massachusetts Infantry (9 Month)
Isaiah “Thomas” Wilbur (1834-1902) was 27 years old when he enlisted as a private in
Co. I, 3rd Massachusetts Infantry (9 Month)
on 23 September 1862 at Rochester, Massachusetts. He remained with the company until 26 June 1863 when he mustered out at Camp Hooker, Lakeville, Massachusetts. He later served with the “23rd Co., Unattached MA Infantry” as a non-commissioned officer.
The 3rd Massachusetts was among the troops sent to New Bern, North Carolina, but Co. I was selected for special duty to garrison the town of Plymouth, North Carolina, for five months. During that time—in December 1862—they were attacked and suffered the first battle casualties of the regiment—two killed, several wounded and 14 prisoners. Co. I was then sent to Elizabeth City in late February where they remained until sometime in April 1863.
Thomas was the son of Isaiah Wilbur (1801-1879) and Olive Smith Clark (1800-1879). He married Lucy A. Benson (1842-1933) in November 1858. Before enlisted, Thomas and Lucy were enumerated in Rochester, Plymouth county, Massachusetts, where Thomas was employed as a “farm laborer.”
Transcription
[Note: This letter was written on a scrap of paper that appears to be a note dating from 1859. It was mostly likely picked up from one of the abandoned residences in Plymouth, North Carolina.]
Plymouth, [North Carolina]
Monday eve, December 29, 1862
Dear wife,
More news from home & you, Lieut. Lisle, come this P. M. from Newbern fetching stores, boxes for the boys, so I had two letters from you & one from Loring C. & your mother. I was glad to hear from them & two papers, making in all 9 letters and 4 papers today but there are more behind. I send this by Stoddard in the morning. The boys received apples, cake, pie, &c. but it was all nearly spoilt by the rotten apples—nice cakes, pies, & all spoilt. It looked bad, I can tell you. Sears had a box come. I have taken charge of it but have not opened it yet. Think I shall tomorrow. He had lots of letters & paper. I shall keep them for him if I can & his other things but eat the eatables.
Your letters were dated 12th and 15th of December. We have had laughing good times this eve reading our letters & eating after cake &c.
Dear wife, don’t be down-spirited, but try to keep yourself as well as you can, being a good and faithful wife. Go visiting & try to take all the comfort & don’t be worried about your absent one for he will not fail by the help of God to return to you true & faithful as ever. Though I may have dread in many ways, but still I am encouraged for you to be true to duty as I see it made plain to me. I at some other time & soon will write to Sears and others, but you must be remembered 1st of all try to be of good cheer, & be lively. Write often for they will, I think, come after awhile. Letters are plenty here today. Some have got over 20.
I am growing fat & lazy. The Rebs haven’t scared us to death yet. We are all right & don’t let bad news trouble you through the papers for they will lie worse than Tom Jones. Kick him outdoors.
We have n*ggers enough here. I am sick of the sight of them. Cousin, in our fight of 10th December, shot one thinking him a Reb from the window of the Custom House. They are of little account anyway. I shall tell big stories when I get home. Don’t, dear wife, be sad. I wish it so. Do as I wish you. I am well and true to you. — Thomas
Dear Lucy, don’t believe what the papers say until you have it confirmed, nor be worried if you don’t hear from me every week. I go on picket tomorrow again. I have got quite used to my fare now of hard bread and tea. It is good.
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