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Letter from Wright, Benjamin
| Soldier: Wright, Benjamin |
| Allegiance: Union |
| Unit/Service Branch: 10th Infantry |
| Home State: Connecticut |
| Date Written: Tuesday, June 9th, 1863 |
| Location: Bermuda Hundred, VA |
| Correspondence Type: Letter |
| Subjects: Camp Life, Commanders, Comrades, Daily Life, Eastern Theater, Enemy, Friends, Rumors, Warfare |
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Q.M. Dept., 10th Conn. Vols.
My Dear Abbie,
Yesterday for the first time in a number of days I neglected sending you any letter. I sent you a little money however which will probably do just as well. I was very busy all the forenoon. In the afternoon I had to go to the landing. I thought I should get back in time to send you a letter but I did not. The mail leaves camp at 6 p.m. By that means you will receive no letter from me tomorrow so that you will be sure of one the next day. I have commenced to write in the morning. I shall have but little to do today as the Regiment is on picket, unless something turns up. We were paid off day before yesterday for the months of March and April. There will soon be two months more pay due us. I send you the smallest amount this time that I have sent any time since I have been an officer, only seventy five dollars. If we are paid in anything like decent time the next I shall probably be able to send the greater part of my pay home. I should have been able to send much more this time if we had been stationed in any one place during the past two months, but knocking around as we were from the time we left Augustine, until we got here, took the money pretty fast, from one and a half to two dollars a day, then buying my revolver off Linsley, fitting myself out with rubber blanket, woolen blanket, haversack, canteen, shoes, and so forth for this expedition, paying Capt. White and Savage for things they brought on for me, putting it all together my expenses were very heavy during the last two months, but I shall realize a little something in return, for some things; Miss Martha's shoes, when I received a letter from her, the straps Savage brought me which I have not worn at all and which I shall let Sharp have when he gets his commission, that revolver that was sent to Hilton Head, if it comes back I can dispose of. I am almost sorry I sent an order to the agent at the Head yesterday to forward whatever express there was for us at his office to Fortress Monroe. I should have got it then without any extra expense. I am spending nothing now except for my living which is necessarily high. Government does not ration officers. I bought a pair of straps a day or two ago, 1st Lieuts., and I indulge to the extent of ten cents a day usually for a New York Daily, but I am just as econominal as possible, and I mean to be in times like these, just as long as I remain in service. I suppose I could live a little if I messed by myself, but it would look small and the Colonel would not like it. He wants his staff all to mess with him. The Chaplain and Adjutant are the most extravagant ones in the mess. They have no idea whatever of economy. The latter part of winter, or first of the spring, one time when you thought me extravagant, I promised to send you an account of my expenses since I have been promoted. I have thus far neglected to do, but if I get time I will endeavor to do so today. I am afraid I am not going to get much time to write today as the artillery has commenced pretty noisy. It won't amount to anything, but still it will keep things in an uproar all day. Although every one of our men for duty that is armed and equipped are out on picket, still Col. Plaisted will probably order the sick and the cooks to turn out and go up to the breastworks. An expedition went out from here last night in some direction. Col. Hawley's Brigade went. They are the only infantry that I know of that have gone, not force enough to accomplish a great deal. Where they have gone is not known. I think however they have crossed the Appomattox and have gone towards Petersburg. It may be only for faint in some direction. Col. Otis was ordered out in the night to take command of Col. Hawley's Brigade that remained behind and the works on his front. A considerable artillery firing has been going on this morning I think on the other side of the Appomattox which I think is from Hawley's. They have probably stirred up something. Immediately after the firing commenced there, our artillery opened, some guns here, which I thought was to draw attention from Hawley. For the past hour or two it has been kept up quite lively on both sides. As yet there is no letting up on either side, but very few of the shells come this way. I have been expecting Col. Plaisted would order us to the front before this time. It is really strange. I am the only of the field and staff that are in camp. I anticipated a good time all alone by myself, but they have gone and kicked up this row. I believe I will lay down and take a nap as I am real sleepy. I think I can sleep with this music unless they get to throwing them in camp. They have got one gun that has got a pretty good range, but it does not throw far enough. They may cut the fuse longer and then perhaps it will come over and stir me out. Having them thrown over your head is rather demoralizing. I can't say that I admire the music unless it is in the distance which lends enchantment. Since I left off writing we have had quite a little flurry. While I was eating dinner musketry firing was opened on the front. I did not know but that we were going to have a little time. The Rebs wishing to take advantage of the absense of part of our forces thought perhaps they would come in and possess the land, but it proved to be but a little flurry, and was over in very short time. What men we had were moved to the breastworks. I started out a few moments afterwards, but when I got up there I did not find them. They had come in. Both the artillery and the infantry fire had entirely ceased. The rest of the day will probably be quiet. The money I sent you I directed to Joseph with some few of Co. I boys, most of them by mail, and some have not sent at all yet. I suppose they will call to the store for it. I wish you would pay Joseph three dollars for the expense on a box that Zacariah Mead sent home directed to him, and on which he paid the express. I received no letters at all last night. I think I can confidently expect one at least tonight. I hope for more.
5 P.M. There has been but little firing on the front, this after one of the Rebel rams up the river has been firing, but for what I can't understand. At the time she commenced they had a flag of truce boat down. They are preparing to try some game on us. I have been getting in a lot of clothing this afternoon. I did not get requisitions filled and I immediately entered a complaint officially. I think it had the desired effect. The clothing was forth coming pretty soon. It is nearly time for the mail to go and I must close. Give my love to all.
Loving ever yours,
Benjamin
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