200th PA Infantry archive of 4 letters "from camp near Petersburg" Myerstown PA For Sale

200th PA Infantry archive of 4 letters
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200th PA Infantry archive of 4 letters "from camp near Petersburg" Myerstown PA:
$216.31

Civil War archive of 4 letters from James B. Moyer, 200th PA Infantry, Co. F. The letters are all written "From camp near Petersburg."
Three letters are in December, 1864 and the 4th letter is February 1865.
The first letter is a bit light, but still easily read.
The letters have been repaired with archival tape at some of the folds.
James B. Moyer is from Myerstown, Lebanon County, PA.
Complete transcription follows:

“Camp in front ofPetersburg

Feb. 18th 1865


Parents


By this Iwish to inform you that I received your kind and welcome letter thismorning and hastened to answer it while you are anxious to here aboutthe battle, we did not come in a fight, but we were at the scene or alittle over it. Our line got advanced by the fifth and second corpsand also the sixths. We our Division 1 the third division of theninths corps. Six new Regiment had marching orders but we did notknow when or were to go but we soon herd the shells burst. We thenmarched about 2 miles in light marching. There we were ready for anattack and made brestworks and worked hard for the sake to saveourselves from the bullets in the morning about 9 o'clock ourregiments went out to find out where the Rebs are stationed. By thesame time a heavey force laid behind us so whenever their wouldsomething happen and we all expected that we will meet the enemy andnot come back as we went forth. We went about one mile and a halfand seen several brestworks where the rebels were but the next nightwere back in regular fortifications but we couldn't see it. We seenseveral rebels running and they were formed in line of battle in yonwoods . We were then in an opening field but we were a good distancefrom them. They laid silently on the ground. We went sadly back atour old place and were six days from our camp without shelter and itwas very cold and raining and snowing.


I have notmuch to tell you and I hope to here from you soon again. The Rebelsare deserting very fast. They pass by squad at our camp. Theyhardly had clothes


I am well hoping this mayreach you the same


Yours truly

Son

James B. Moyer

Co. F 200thRegt P. V.

Washington D. C.


I wrote a Bro. George aletter and I have not received

ther box which Bro. John. The talk is thay ...sending Boxes”







“Camp near Petersburg

Dec. 18th 1864


Parents


I will letyou know that we left here on friday eve and marched five miles tillat Meads head Quarters then it commenced to rain snowing and it wasso cold that one man of Co. D froze to death then the next day theirwere two men to be hung. The scaffold was ready, they hung thembetween 12 and 1 oclock on account of deserting in the Rebel Army. That was the first time I seen and I hope that is the last time. the[y] were smoking the sigar till on the scaffold. I could tell youa great deal more about it but I have no time. Saturday night wemarched 25 miles through mud and water that it came half way to theknees and it was cold weather. We marched below the black water fora recerve. The 5th corps made a raid along their captureda lot of fat cattle sheep, pigs, chickens, and turkeys, apple jack bythe barrel and 5 barrel of molasses, and some rebs, colored men,sulkeys and burned down houses and barns, tour up 40 miles ofrailroad and good deal more.


I had acanteen full of molasses and we shot down the pigs and skinned themand commenced to eat each one helped himself, it was good. We alsokile chickens and sheep. We had fine time for we had nothing to eatsince Wednesday till Sunday. We marched back in the night at our oldplace 25 miles. It was hard marching. Some of our men were caughtby the guerrillas that could straggled, their throat were cut andclothes taken from the body. The regt left here on monday morning at4 oclock but I was excused on account of stiff sore feet that I canhardly walk. It is reported that it went to the place were we were.”


[unsigned, but complete]















“Camp near Petersburg24th [December] 1864


Dear Parents


I willwillingly to let you know that I received your letter to-day and themoney &c. and I hope you send the bon off, to-day as youmentioned in your letter. Tomorrow is Christmas, it seems to me itcant be, for I was used to run after the fools in town; but I have tospend my times in Virginia this year and the 29th thismonth I am nineteen years old, but and if you want to pull my hairyou must come to me. This morning eight rebels passed our Camp whichdeserted in to our line and six yesterday morn – that is the way toclose the war, lay down the arms and come in peace. The rebs aredeseting fast all along our line. Further we also drawed newclothes. I was used to get a new suit st home for on Christmas andso I got a suit for this time.


I have notmuch to say this time. By closing my letter I will make Robert aring some time. I am well hopeing you are the same.


I wish you all a merry andhappy Christmas & New Year


Yours Truly,


James B. Moyer”





















“Camp near Petersburg

Dec. 23rd 1864


Parents


I will letyou know that this is the Second letter I wrote for the box and noanswer and no box. Other boys get boxes. I have to look at themeating. I wrote some time that you shall not send it, but then a fewdays after I wrote you shall send it as soon as you possibly can. Ithought I would get it till Christmas so that I can enjoy my selfwith it but no sign. Yesterday two loads express boxes came but noone for me. It looked hard. I also wrote for several other articlesin that letter and if you get it, send me a letter.


I seenMonroe Piffer [Peiffer] 21st Pa Cavalry some time ago andhe is well. We had good times the time he was with me. We have goodtimes now. No Picket duty. Nothing but drilling. I will close myletter by saying I am well. [?] it is very cold at present.


Yours Truly


James B Moyer

Co. F. 200. P. V.

Washington

Col. Divens BrigadierGeneral ninth Corps first brigate and third Div.”


Envelope addresses: “Mr.George Moyer

Myerstown Leb. Co.Penn.”


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