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--- 118th_new_york_infantry_primary_sources [2019/06/14 12:01]
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+++ 118th_new_york_infantry_primary_sources [2019/07/18 13:30]
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 Letter from the 118th.
+near RELAY HOUSE,\\
-Camp near RELAY HOUSE,\\
 Md., Sept. 6th, 1862.
@@ Line 39: / Line 38: @@
 {{ :118th_ny:the_elizabethtown_post._september_18_1862.jpg?linkonly|}}
+----
+Letter from Oakley Smith to his brother
+Camp Wool Sept. 24/62
+Dear Brother
+Your joint
+and several letters came to hand
+day before yesterday & in order
+to secure another equally long
+and acceptable epistle, I hasten to
+answer it.  I thank you very
+much Henry for your promptness
+and also for stirring up the rest
+to write.  I will try to answer
+each in turn & think perhaps
+make out nearly as long as a document
+as yours.  In the first place we
+are just where we were a week ago
+and situated in every respect very
+much the same.  The boys are all
+having very good health, and
+are in fine spirits.  I assure
+you that - however much you
+at home may [...] your own
+safety & be troubled concerning
+our absence, that we do not get
+the amount of anxiety
+for ourselves.  A great many
+things in camp are calculated
+to keep up ones spirits.  In fact
+almost every day something or other
+amusing takes place.  The camp
+is perhaps a place of as much jollying as
+any, though too often there is
+too much wickedness and profanity
+mixed with it.  Our regiment
+is better in this respect than most
+of them are yet it is far from
+the standard of pure morality
+There is not as much swearing
+as there was a month ago & not near
+as much drunkenness for this
+there is severe punishment.
+In our tent we have very harmonious
+times. Perhaps with the exception
+of one we have as good a set of
+fellows in our tent as in
+any on the ground. It is now
+Wednesday evening if you should
+chance to make us a call & stick
+your head into our tent you would
+find us about as follows, beginning
+at the top.  Suspended on two sticks
+attached by ropes to the ridge pole
+of our tent hang our guns, at the
+rear end of our tent we have
+upright pole with tree limbs
+[...]  a few inches long on
+which are hung, coats, caps, and
+accoutrements,  at the height of three
+feet across this we have a board
+fixed for similar purposes.  The
+tent fronts to the south.  At the
+North end there we have our
+knapsacks &c. for pillows.  Our
+overcoats for a bed & blankets
+for covering rigs us
+for a sound sleep. At present
+Oscar is writing Brunnelle, Albert &
+Johnny Coleley are reading testaments
+& newspapers. Jo Fisk is down to
+the bridge & has been for several
+days.  Our furniture consists mainly
+of a plain board box two feet in length
+& 15 inches high and answer for
+table, bureau and writing desk besides
+having our corner for an ammunition
+box. For candlesticks we have bayonets
+for tumblers canteens & other thing in
+a style equally luxuriant.
+You wrote about David, if you
+will send me his address I will write
+to him.  I was afraid that in the late
+battles the boys might have been hurt.
+Write about all the boys you hear any
+thing from when you write again.  Thomas
+Turnbull, Martin Nichols, Ham Higby and
+others.  If you were here a month from
+now then you would have a good
+time gathering black walnuts and chestnuts.
+I have just been cracking a few.
+write often Henry whether you have
+much to write about or not.  I sent you my
+tuning fork which i did not want & [...]
+sends have you recd them. Good Bye Oakley
+The boys are all all very well
+Oakley M. Smith, 118th New York Infantry\\
+U. S. Army Heritage and Education Center
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@@ Line 74: / Line 185: @@
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+//The Elizabethtown Post//, October 30, 1862
+Communication.
+U. S. HOSPITAL at CAMP WOOL,\\
+Oct. 23, 1862.
+MR. EDITOR - All confusion with us this morning, as orders have been received to "pack up" once more and ere set of sun we shall be moving southward. I know not the place of destination.
+Company F is indeed sad this morning. Amid the bustle, the gloom of death has settled upon us with serious effect; but, ah! how much more heavily will it fall upon the friends and relatives of our loved fellow soldier and companion in arms. LARHETT L. THOMPSON, who expired at ten minutes past eight this morning, of that (to the soldier) dread disease, Typhoid Fever. He was admitted to the Hospital Oct. 11, tho he had been previously ill. The best medical skill and most attentive [...]ing was of no avail. We esteemed him for his personal worth and gentlemanly bearing. In him existed those virtues which constitute the true man, and he died, as he had lived, a Christian.
+The nature of his disease was such that, for a few days previous to his death, he uttered but few sentences that were intelligible. Once he spoke of his Bible, and yesterday afternoon, as I stood over him, he brokenly said as he grasped my hand, "I fear I shall not live till tomorrow." These were his last words, we were permitted to understand. He seemed to be sleeping sweetly through the night; and he passed away calmly, like one to quiet rest.
+This will add another to the many desolate family [...] another group of sorrow stricken hearts will deep wails of anguish arise.
+Two others Lewis Sprague of Schroon and ---- Granel of Glen's Falls, are numbered with the dead, yet they went not into the grave unhonored or unwept.
+The friends of Lieut. Cunningham will be much pleased to know that he has entirely recovered from a serious illness. Some of "our boys" are quite unwell yet, but [...] they will, without exception, soon recover. Those who are unfit to proceed with the regiment will remain here until they are unable to rejoin it.
+Time will not allow a more extended communication, but in due time our friends shall be informed the welfare of the regiment and its destined post. Respectfully, signed\\
+B. A. BRAMAN.
+{{ :118th_ny:the_elizabethtown_post._october_30_1862.jpg?linkonly|}}
-<figure label>
-{{:{{ :118th_ny:the_elizabethtown_post._october_30_1862.jpg?400 |img}}
-<caption>the_elizabethtown_post._october_30_1862</caption>
-</figure>
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Howard County, MD in the Civil War

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