Archive Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
1805.044.04.05 |
Collection |
Moore Letters |
Object Name |
Letter |
Title |
Letter from Will Moore to his Mother |
Scope & Content |
Will Moore writes to his mother from camp near Richmond, telling of his visits in the city. He saw the infamous Libby Prison, and was near Jefferson Davis's house, and Lee's house, although much of the city was burned down and looked quite desolate after the war. They are to march to Washington, a distance of 130 miles taking 10 or 11 days. Will writes that he has never been more dissatisfied than now, because their work is done as the war is over and he wants to be relieved from duty. |
Dates of Creation |
May 25, 1865 |
Date |
May 23, 1865 |
Notes |
The full transcription for this letter is below: Camp 119th Regt [Regiment] Penna [Pennsylvania] Vols [Volunteers] Near Richmond Va [Virginia] May 23rd 1865 Dear Mother I received a letter from you some time [sometime] since but have had no oppertunity [opportunity] to answer sooner. We left Dan-ville some two weeks ago. Our Brigade was stationed near Wilsons Station on the South Side RR [rail road], about 30 miles from Peters-burg, We received orders to march for Richmond last Thursday morning, we reached [Manchester] about noon on Sauterday [Saturday], We are encamped about 3 miles from Richmond, which is in sight. I was in Richmond nearly all day yesterday, visited all places of intrest [interest] [page break] was through Libby Prison, the captain saw Jeff Davis's residence, also Genl [General] Lee's house. The city looks dirty and has a desolate apperan-ce generally. The finist [finest] and most business portion of the city is burned down. To morrow [Tomorrow] we start on our homeward march. It is about 130 miles from Richm [Richmond] to Washington, It is supposed we will be about 10 or 11 days on the way, It is generally thought that we will be at home by the middle of next month. Homew-ard bound it seems hardly possible that it can be true. I have never been more dissatis-fied that I have been for this last few weeks, I know that our work was done, and it seemed as if we ought to be home. I thought when we were [page break] ordred [ordered] to Danville that our Corps would be kept, and did not like the [idea] at all, but when we were ordred [ordered] to report to Washington, I know all was right, and we would soon be home. It is understood that we are to be [received] in Washington and then mustered out. I received a letter from Hugh a day or so since, I was very glad to hear from him, as I had not heard from him for some time, He does not say whether he expects to get home soon or not, but [they] say that [veterans] are to be kept for some time [sometime], I think they will not be kept long. I send a [piece] of Libby Prison, and a [piece] of the [page break] reble [rebel] capital, I suppose the next letter you get from me will be from near Washington. as we will not have a chance to send letters from before here and there. Hoping to hear from you I remain Your Affectionat [Affectionate] Son Will PS. You ask me if I got the [rying] I did and am [wearing] it Will |
Extent of Description |
1 leaf, 7.8" x 9.6" |
Relation |
Show Related Records... |
Condition |
Good |
Condition Notes |
Letter written in pencil. One vertical fold divides the paper in 2, and there are three horizontal folds. Small tears along the edges of the vertical fold, and brown smudges near the top of the vertical 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 119th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Appomattox Court House, VA Danville, VA Libby Prison Petersburg, VA Richmond, VA Washington, D.C. Wilson Station, VA |