Orig Civil War Soldier's Letter Camp Douglas Harper's Ferry Shoot Rebs

Description

Original Guaranteed Authentic Civil War Soldier's Letter. It reads:
Dec 6th, 62
Dear girls,
With pleasure I rec. your pleasant letter yesterday and was pleased to hear from you and to hear of the wedding about Cato. To think of the nice times they are having there as Uncle John wanted to hear the particular. I will write some of them the 26th of news. We left Camp Douglas for Washington we had good cars all of the way to Baltimore and the tables was ready to rec. us at some of the places. We got supper at Baltimore then we got on some Government Cars for Washington. The cars was no better than out doors and the weather was cold. We had to stomp and raise old heck to keep warm . we arrived at Washington at daybreak. We stayed there until Sunday Dec the 1st. Then we marched about 4 miles west of the city across the Potomic in Va and camped on a side hill that night of new land where there was plenty of brush rather cold to sleep out doors although it is nothing for a soldier. The next day we pitched tents and stayed there one night. Then struck the next morning and marched south about 4 miles south just past the Fairfax Cemetery. then pitched tents and slept in them that night. Then traded tents with a reg. close by us. There they just moved away and last night we slept in them . The weather has been very nice until now day before yesterday about 200 of our reg. went on picket. Just as soon as they had got to camp they was hungry cold and tired and nothing to carry with them to eat so our leuin Col. Mc doodel gave one of the boy to go to the bakery to buy bread for the pickets and yesterday it commenced to snow and rain and it was pretty cold sleeping in the tents without stoves and nothing to eat but hard tacks and coffee. Perhaps you would like to know how the settlers sells things. ham, dried beef, cheese, bolona 20 cents a pound, butter 40, pies 20 a piece. rather tough doings but no more that I expected. I am content. Good health. That is worth all to a soldier.
Gilbert you wanted me to shoot some rebels for you. I did my duty at Harper's Ferry until miles sold his guns and every thing to Jackson. The Damn old traitor. I am glad he is dead. We have got some guns just like the other ones and I guess old Jackson won't get them as easy.
Anna you wanted me to excuse you. I do excuse you for a letter from a friend come good when it comes better late than never. I am very glad my Dog type look
s natural. I presume you know that (?) has left the regt wash and sant is well.
Girls you spoke about the Heart disease and cloven feet. Cowards afraid to be a soldier. I like it. If our regt was discharged today I would enlist in heavy artillery as soon as I could visit my friends. I am not afraid of death. It is the least thing I think of. I have a soldier's Heart. One that fears not the rebels guns. Yes Anna you will have to wear mourning I think yes. I think I will wait until the hard times is over and until my Heart is soft as you spoke about after the war is over if I do not run against some piece of cold lead. I will visit with you all. The rebels is within 10 miles of us now. No more at this time. Good day.
Respectfully
B. Bolt
to one and all mate tell the girls all to write for I would like to hear from them all. Give my respect to all.
(See my other auction from the same soldier Ben Bolt)
Condition as shown in photos.
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