Letter from George Wolcott to his aunt, Juliette Wolcott
Reprinted with permission from the William Howard Collection, United States Army Military History Institute:
My dear Aunt:
As I wrote you a letter of considerable length a few days previous to receiving your last, I have deferred until now penning a reply, as but little of importance has transpired worthy of note since that time. I am still in the enjoyment of excellent health and would you believe it, weigh 167 lbs., 19 lbs more than ever before in my life. Gen. Hooker has caused soft bread, potatoes, onions and other vegetables to be served as often as 4 times per week and this together with our pork, bacon, fresh meat, rice, shurger, tea, coffee & c. affords as a super abundance of good wholesome food, so it is not strange that one grows and thrives in the army. I often wish that the poor could have what the soldiers throw away, they would fare well on such an abundance of everything you might say, is given us, that it is impossible to use it besides we get heartily tired of so much. Of course our fare is not quite so good on a march but I have no reason to complain so far.
The Army of the Potomac it is probable, will be broken up as soon as it becomes settled weather. The 9th Army corps left here last month for Fortress Monroe, and the Pennsylvania Reserves have gone to Washington. There are 38 Regts. of N. Y. S. Vols. 2 yr's men whose time expires in one or two months many of whom are in this Army and many of the other Regts. are so reduced by sickness and battle that they will be consolidated or put in garrisons, at least this is my supsspession. 3 small forts, each mounting 6 guns have been erected near use on the line of the Acquia Creek R. R. to protect it and the Potomac creek R. R. bridge from surprise by the Rebels, as over the R. R. all our supplies are brought. The late raid of the Rebels, near Kelly's Ford (12 miles distant) was designed to destroy the bridge above referred to, but the attempt proved unsuccessful.
There are furloughs granted for 10 days to 8 men of our Regt. at the expiration of which time others are allowed to go home. This looks little like a forward movement.
The weather is very pleasant for March, and the mud is just being dried up. It is reported that the Rebels have evacuated Fredericksburg save by a large force along the river.
Having with regret witnessed the dissentions and strife among political parties up North, we the members of the 44 Regt. yesterday originated and signed a petition to the people of N. Y. State denouncing their want of faith in the existing conflict, and sent them from the field words of encouragement and cheer (what they ought to have done to us) and bade them have more faith in God, and help sustain us in our efforts to crush the Rebellion and cease to cry for peace on any terms, for this was only to be attained by fighting for it.
We have erected a log church and have prayer meetings in it, 5 evenings per week, and the other two evenings a debating society is held. Last eve a paper was read made up of our Regt. of which I had the honor of being Editor. Those Richmond papers I sent you after the battle of Fredericksburg, but I found them in the parlor of a fine house in the city the day after the battle, so they may be considered trophies although of little recount. I also had two books which I sent home to Julia. You have but little idea how valuable furniture and libraries were destroyed by the Union troops.
Speaking of Julia, reminds me that I had a letter from her a few days since. She is at Catskill where she will remain for a few weeks. She is well, and the rest of the folks are quite smart. The ice broke up in the creek last week. Julia rec'd a summons from N. York to go to Port Royal, but I believe she has concluded not to go now.
I rec'd. a letter from Mr. Elmendorf from N. Y. a day or two since. He says he has sold his house and as Mother can get no convenient house for keeping boarders, she will give up housekeeping the first of April. I have written Mother 3 friendly letters since I left home but she has not replied, save to send her regards in Grandpa White's letters to me.
Please give my love to Hattie and all your people and remember me kindly to Aunt Etta and family. Your last letter had much to encourage me, and in view of which I can thank you a great deal. Please accept for yourself Uncle Edward and All, my best wishes, with these hastily written lines.
from,
Juliette W. Wolcott
P. S. Direct My letters as before until further orders. GBW
Read May 13, 1863 letter about Chancellorsville