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[[109th New York Volunteer Infantry|Back to 109th New York Infantry]]\\ | [[109th New York Volunteer Infantry|Back to 109th New York Infantry]]\\ | ||
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+ | Letter of James M. Williams | ||
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+ | Annapolis Junction, Sep 3, 1862. | ||
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+ | Dear Friend, | ||
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+ | As I am not very well and do not have to go on duty to day. I will try and tell you something about camp life. I enlisted on the 11 day of August at Binghamton, stayed there until August 30. And then we started for the south. And after riding in the cars three days and three nights, and haveing nothing to eat but dry bread and a little beef that had been boiled a week or longer, we arrived at Annapolis Junction, where we pitched our tents...We are in Rebbledom now, only twenty miles from Washington and about the same distance from Bulls run. They are having some hard fighting not far from Washington every day. We don't know how long before we shall have to fight. There are about 600 guerillas within three or four miles of here that we expect will attack us in a few days. Let them come. We are ready for them. We will try and do them justice if they do come..." The 109th NY Infantry was infamous for its aggressive fighting. Williams also describes hardship conditions, "...after riding in the cars for three days and three nights and having nothing to eat but dry bread and a little beef that had been boiled a week or longer we arrived at Annapolis Junction where we pitched our tents and put up for the night...Our bill of fare consists of potatoes and boiled beef without any salt, and a very little of that, and have to eat it with our fingers and jacknives. We have no plates or knives or forks. It is hard to be a soldier..." | ||
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+ | https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/2052675_1124-civil-war-soldier-letter-signed-als-ny-infantry | ||
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