Archive Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
1805.044.02.07 |
Collection |
Moore Letters |
Object Name |
Letter |
Title |
Letter from Will Moore to his Mother |
Scope & Content |
Will Moore writes to his mother recounting his experiences in the days before and following the Battle of Gettysburg. Before Gettysburg, he marched a great deal, 30 miles in 30 hours, crossing the Potomac into Maryland and from there into Pennsylvania. He speaks of townspeople leaving water for them and comments that it felt like home in the north. He also comments that people are trying to get money from the soldiers by selling things, and things that people in the North do not realize or appreciate the great risk and sacrifice the soldiers are making. He writes about the New York draft riots, calling them a disgrace, and stating that the men who participated in them are traitors and should be hung. He claims resistance like this in the north is one reason the war is dragging on so long. He discusses people he knows who were wounded at Gettysburg, and asks his mother if she heard if anyone was wounded. They are marching back south, to Richmond he thinks. |
Dates of Creation |
July 21, 1863 |
Date |
July 21, 1863 |
Notes |
The full transcription for this letter is below: Camp somewhere in Virginia July 21st 1863 Dear Mother, The first time for a long time I have an oppertunity [opportunity] to write but I [expect] to be called off from [writing] every [minuet] [ever], [since] [the] battle of Gettyburg [Gettysburg] I [have] had [not] [time] to my-self, [sufficient] to write a letter I [have] tried several [times] but never could [write] it out. Sinc [Since] I wrote to your last [we] have had many weary marches [and] [still] [a] [fair] [prospect] [?] just before the battle of Gettysburg our Corps marched for thirty hours without halting for more than half an hour at a time, we marched more than thirty miles at in that time, our division was not [engaged] so that we [lost] [none] in the Regt [Regiment], We crossed [page break] the Potomac into Maryland at Edwards Ferry. marched through Maryland into Pennsylvania, it seemed as if we were home already to be in Pennsylvania, every town we passed through water was put out in tubs and barrels so that men could get it, but we found the people are willing to make all the money they could off the Poor Soldiers, when will the People of the north realize the what Union is at stake, they do not seem to think that we have placed our lives in our own hands for their sake as well as our own. it is the case with too many of them, [some] I know [there] are that can not do too much for the Soldiers. The riot that has taken place in New York is the greatest disgrace that could have happened to our country, I would sooner fire into a body of such men then to shoot a reble [rebel] that is one reason [page break] why the war continues so long, there is so many traitors at home, I say hang them up to the highest [site], the quicker they [commence] the better. They are going to fill up our Regt [Regiment] with Conscripts I believe, we sent several men home yesterday to bring them out, we expect them in about 3 or 4 weeks or [ass-umin], we need them for our regt [regiment] is getting small, I had a letter from [Ned Livizy] yester day [yesterday] he was wounded at Gettyburg [Gettysburg] is in chestnut hill [Chestnut Hill] Hospital, only a flesh wound rather severe, but thinks not very serious he says that [Dr. Frego] told him it would be some two or three months before he would be fit for duty, I am glad it is no worse, do you know wither [whether] Dan Neslon was wounded or not, Isaac Martindell was woun-ded too I believe, had his arm taken off. I saw his Regt [Regiment] I seen Charley [page break] Davis at Boonsboro after the battle, he was well, I only had time to just speak to him as his Regt [Regiment] pass-ed, he looks very well, they had been at Washington for some time [sometime] past, you asked me some time [sometime] ago about [Wills-penat] I think it is my [trunk] some-where, it may be in one of Hughs letter-s you can tell his handwriting I maded [made] my letter somewhere in Virginia, I cant [can't] tell exactly where we are, but not far from [Unionville], I suppos [suppose]we are on our way to Rich-mond again provided the rebs [rebels] do not stop us. Have you had a letter from Hugh lately, do you know wether [whether] he is in the [?] against Charleston, Charly [McNair] is not in our Regt [Regiment] I do not think [Mr.] [Hilt] is sitting in my tent, he is well and sends his respects, I heard that [Minnie] Lambert was going to be married soon, Give my love to all, a kiss for sister and [I remain] Your affect [affectionate] Son, Will P.S tell Joe that I send Will him a reble [rebel] button that I got off a reble [rebel] officers cap |
Extent of Description |
1 leaf, 8" x 10" |
Relation |
Show Related Records... |
Condition |
Good |
Condition Notes |
Letter written in pencil. Folded vertically down the middle and then horizontally into thirds. There is a rip on the bottom middle fold. |
Legal Status |
On loan from the Civil War Museum of Philadelphia. |
Multimedia Files |
Click here to view the full transcription of the Moore Letters Collection. |
People |
Moore, Will Moore, Hugh |
Search Terms |
Moore Letters Battle of Gettysburg Chestnut Hill Hospital Potomac River Washington, D.C. New York City Draft Riots |