Archive Record

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1 of 1977

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Metadata

Catalog Number

1805.044.07.10

Collection

Moore Letters

Object Name

Letter

Title

Letter from William W. Moore to his Sister Mollie Moore

Scope & Content

In a letter to his sister Mollie, William W. Moore writes that he about 8 miles from Richmond, the closest he has been. He has had picket duty but has not seen any firing. His unit is on orders to be ready to move, but they do not know when or where. They are short on food, and some men died from an accident. He says he does not have much time to write and asks his sister to share his letter with Georgie and others.

Dates of Creation

September 2, 1864

Date

September 2, 1864

Notes

The full transcription for this letter as follows:

Hd. [Head] Qrs. [Quarters] Co. [Company] "C" 38th U. [United] S. [States] C. [Colored] T. [Troops]
Deep [Bottom] Va [Virginia]
Sept [September] 2nd [1864]

My dear Mollie
The receipt of your very kind letter is now before me I have just received it. Is it strange that you have not received my last letter which I wrote a few days before we left the lines before Petersburg. I think that you should of received it about the time that mother and you received such a disappointment, and in addition to individual promotion to [Hostlers] ship I feel very sorry for you, but you see that I can hardly stand all of the blame. Now for the journey to this new [place] the situation + c. We rec'd [received] orders Thursday Eve to be ready to move but we did not any of us know where to. We had heard that [page break] the 18th Corps was to be relieved by the 10th [?] therefore no [surprise] of course that we should occupy the wright [right]. We were kept under these orders in the Pitts, (had our Baggage packed an off with the train) until Friday night when we were relieved. And started 2 miles towards the Left laid there about 2 hrs [hours] awaiting orders. Finally we turned about and were marched to this place on the south side of the James and about (8) miles from Richmond, the closest that I have yet been. We occupy but a small space here. I do not know what the object is except for [mansports] to come up. We have some Gun Boats with us. We have a very good camp on the bank of the River. The Picket duty is all that we have had to do. but there is a good eel [deal] of that. it brings us in pretty often. (I had just to stop here and leave another dear letter from you of date Aug [August] 28th) [Oh] it does me so much good to read them. I would realy [really] like to have a good social talk at this moment with you All. dear ones at home. I do hope that that time of [unity] will [page break] soon come. I am glad that you are in for little "mac" he is my [man] every day in the week. I am glad to hear that you are [working] for the poor Soldier, and that with a good heart. The Soldiers here think that the people north do not care for them any more. I guess tht they are in the wrong. I know that my folks do. I would like to have been home Wednesday P.M. did you have a pleasant time? I am sorry to put you to so much trouble to get and make my shirts. but I know that you do it willingly. You are my own dear Mother and Sister. I feel very thankful for it.
["Gustus"] is a good onther [brother]! I am sorry to put him so much trouble. I hope then he will succeed. I may be able at some time to return part of the many favors which I have received through his influence. I am sorry for [Julias] Bro [Brother] perhaps that in will be just as well in the end for him. Remember [me] to [her]. I am pleased to hear that you have a good [minister] and an [interesting] Sabbath school. I hope and wish that much good will be done. do not worry for me it is all for the best that I am here. I was on [page break] Picket Yesterday relieved last night. had command of the right wing marching 108 men The lines ran through a heavy piece of woods, and of a dark night it is about all that one wants to do to get them there. There has not as yet been any Picket firing. They seem very [peacitle]
The lines are in some part only (30) paces apart) We can hear them talk + c.
They occasionally want to change Tobacco for Hard Tack and Coffee also papers, This shows that [they] are getting short for food. [Three] came out on my line yesterday and watched to [change] papers Capt. [Captain] of [?] told them to come over + he would give [one] all they [wenta] be [?] that he would [?] longer but I had now with me and it is strictly against our orders to do so one came into our lines the other day + said that they were then on 1/3 rations, + expected be reduced to ½. a boat load of exchange [prisoners] just came down the River from Richmond. They look half starved, + very weak, poor fellows. Yes I [presume] that this Draft does make some Squirm there are some that I would like to see come [prevelanty] even of those "blow hard." we had an a incident happen on the Picket line this morning from a shell that had been thrown from gun boat some time ago + had not exploded. the boys were playing with it. gotten on powder out + c + it exploded a (32 Rdr) killed two + wounded three that were with it. they must seem not to fool with such articles. [?] nothing I guess that I have written all of the news for the present. If God spares my life I expect to visit my Friends this fall. tomorrow is my birth day [?] shall I [?] it perhaps of going on pickets 24 yrs [years] I am getting to be a young man amidst you must [page break]
[WRITTEN ON THE SIDE OF THE FIRST PAGE]: Remember me to all. Georgie! I do not get time to write but one letter at a time, you will have to take [the] [interes] in this just the same as though it were written especially for you. This is what I expect all of you to do. [Cuyle] is acting only as Brigade L.M. a brig [brigade] L.M. holds the rank of Capt [Captain] with the pay of Capt [Captain] except 30$ extra for [habituating] + c. I gave him the [?] some time ago I do not see him very often [?] [?] [?] [?] I hear from Charley quite often from time to time Charley Youngs may come home before long he is situated in such a way that he can do so [sooner] than I can possibly I am enjoying good health hoping that you are all well I remain as ever your Aff [Affectionate] Bro [Brother]
W. W. Moore
Co. [Company] "C." 38th U. [United] S. [States] C. [Colored] T. [Troops]
2nd Brigade 3rd Division
18th A. C.
Fort Monroe,
Va [Virginia]

Much love to all, remember me to [New] York

Extent of Description

1 leaf, 9.75" x 8"

Relation

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Condition

Good

Legal Status

On loan from the Civil War Museum of Philadelphia.