CIVIL WAR LETTER - 8th Connecticut Infantry - Dispels Report of Rebel Attack !

Description

Civil War Letter
Civil War letter written by John Marrarty while serving in Company D of the 8th Connecticut Infantry.  He wrote this letter from Annapolis where he talks of reports his regiment was "cut to pieces" by (Confederate) guns but says he hasn't even picked up a gun yet.
This Civil War letter was written by 30 year-old John Mikel Marrarty, Jr. (1831-1903) who enlisted as a private in Co. D, 8th Connecticut Infantry on 3 September 1861. In mid-January 1864 he was transferred into the 31st Company of the 2nd Veteran Reserve Corps. He was discharged from the service on 21 September 1864.
John was the son of John M. Morrarty (1803-1882) and Mary Maria Griswold (1811-1904) of New London county, Connecticut. He was married in 1854 to Rebecca Ann Smith (1828-1916), the daughter of John Gardner Smith and Nancy Bowman Case. In 1860 he was living in Norwich, CT with wife, daughter Emma, aged 4, Theodore E. Smith, aged 14, and George E. Wright, aged 6. He served as a private, Co D, 8th CT Vol Inf, Union Army for a period of three years beginning 21 Sep 1861 (part of which time he was in the veteran reserve corps, due to illness), and reenlisted on 6 Mar 1865 as a private, Co B, 2nd Regt, US Volunteers for another year.
Transcription
Annapolis [Maryland]
Friday [November] the 8, 1861
My Dear Wife,
I got the box you sent me yesterday and was glad to get them. I got a shirt that the ladies of Norwich sent us and there was a letter in the pocket & it was a good one. I will send it home & let you read it. I was glad you sent the things you spoke of. Some candles you need not send any for we have enough of them. I have wrote you 2 letters since I have been here. I want you to write to me and let me know if you had to pay the postage on them.
We went in camp last night. It is cold here nights, but warm days. It is very pleasant here. I will send you some money as soon as I get it. I got the letter you sent with the box. I am sorry that Gene was sick. I am glad she is better. You must take good care of her and yourself. I should be glad to see you all, but I must wait a spell longer. There is no news at present.
I heard that the story was in Norwich that the 8th was all cut to pieces but I have not heard a gun since I have been here. I do not expect to stay here long, but I do not know. Gene, Par [Pa] sends his love to you and the baby. I want you to tell me if you have to pay for this letter. We have not sent out any picket guards yet and they say we should not have to while we stay here. John is well and send his love to all. Give my love to all and keep a large share for yourself. I will now close, so good bye.
Direct your letter to Annapolis, MD, 8th Regiment, Co. D, CT
Soldier’s letter, Major A. Terry, 8th Regiment Conn. Vols.
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