CIVIL WAR LETTER - 3rd Massachusetts - Steamboat Pautuxant Supplies Troops in NC

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 previously used piece of stationery that was datelined “Washington, North Carolina, October 28, 1850” and addressed to Bro. C. Latham. It was most likely taken from an abandoned home in Plymouth.]
[Plymouth, North Carolina]
February 1st 1863
Warm & Pleasant. The Pautuxant Steamboat come in about 3 this morn. She fetched hay and other things for the troops here & among the rest was a small mail for our company consisting of for me two papers from mother & two from Polly; also one letter from Polly & 4 from you enclosing one from F. B. D. Yours dated 9-14, 17 & 20. Polly’s 19th all of [ ] outside Mass. dates I read them all with much pleasure. Should like to hear from other of my friends at home. Tell Charity that I haven’t got that letter from her yet. Am waiting with patience fr it. Also that her picture looks as natural as life. Lots of our boys have fell in love with it. You needn’t feel jealous because I don’t mention about your picture. It is ever kept near my heart when I am not looking at it. I respect the picture and dearly love the original & it will be a happy day to me when I safely arrive home to meet my wife. Be a good wife & try to enjoy yourself as well as you can & be true to me.
I should like to be at home to go to meeting with you but I can’t so I must be content to remain as I am from you. I. T. Bishop wishes me to write you to tell his wife that he has sent home & wants her to look out for it at Adams & Co. Express Office [in] North Milford if it don’t come to So. Milford as it may. I am glad my gold piece went safe. You had better keep it, I guess. If I had a kept it here, I might have sold it for greenback, but never mind. I am getting rich fast. a month & clothed. You your mother wants money, let her have it.
That long letter that I sent by Mr. McLure may not reach you until this month. If he delivers it in person—which I think very doubtful. I see by the papers that O. R. Clark is missing. That regiment has had a hard time. Martin Ride wounded & others killed. That is the fortune of war. But I must hasten. Some of our boys got boxes today from home while I got none. But I suppose that I am just as well or better without them. If I could have a small box with paper and envelopes, cake or some confectionary, which you can’t get here without paying a great price, you can do as you like. If you do get Sears to speak to Scott they they are a going to send to the company & so have it come straight, have Sears pay the express. Do just as you like. Don’t go to much trouble about it. I must now close. Remember me as I remember you. Like me, be constant, and like me, be true. Adieu, dear wife. From your dear one, — Thomas
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