PAIR OF SOLDIER’S LETTERS - CORPORAL GEORGE P. RAMSDELL, 32ND MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY

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Item Code: 697-892

Pair of letters from Corp. Ramsdell to his mother, dated April 23rd, 1864, and “Feby 5 1865, addressed from “Head Quarters Ambulance Corps/ 1st Div 5th AC”. Written in ink on lined paper measuring 7.75 x 10”, the letters are three and four pages in length. Both exhibit fold-lines and light yellowing, and the later letter has tears along the fold-lines, and, while holding together. Texts are clean and entirely legible.

These letters provide a nice home-front/ war-front contrast. In the earlier letter, written two weeks before the 5th Corps began the ’64 “Overland Campaign”, Ramsdell gently chides his mother for writing only one letter for every four that he sends her. He goes on to write of relatives and various folks in common, and touches on some gossip attaching to “Sarah”, a lady of mutual acquaintance. Ramsdell tells his mother that when “Judson” comes home “you tell him that I do not believe there was a word of truth in what was told me about Sarah and that he need not give it any weight at all. Now you be sure and tell him the whole.”

The second letter is substantially a narrative of 5th Corps movements [Feb. ‘65], and deserves being quoted at length:

“Well the Corps is on the move again. They have gone out in the same directions as before—(due south). They started out at an early hour this morning and were all on the road at seven o’clock. It is a splendid day for marching good air and not very cold the temperature is about 50 degrees I think. I think the purpose is about the same as before, to tear up that portion of the Weldon RR that the Rebels have relaid. I should not be surprised though of the south side road tempted them a little. Three days will disclose the whole thing, but the Peace question takes my eye very agreeably. I would like to know what Uncle Abe and Stevens have been talking about the last week. Only to think of it. I shant need any furlough this winter for I expect to be home by the 4th of July for good. That would be very nice would not?

I think from what I see in the papers and the general aspect of affairs that there is but little hope for the rebels at any point. I am quite confident that it will take as long to take Richmond as it will for Sherman to take Charleston and then march up here for I don’t think the rebels can get troop enough into Virginia to prevent us from cutting every rail road leading in Richmond, and as for their running away it would be like the paddy that looked in the muzzle of the gun to see the ball start for they can’t move brigade without some somebody seeing the whole of it.

I have just heard from the Corps : at 12 pm they were about 10 miles south of the Yellow house and had formed in and were advancing toward the south side rail road. I really believe Gen. Warren will have it in spite of the rebs, it would be curious if he should happen to be so very prosperous. The hero of the Norfolk Weldon and South Side rail roads the only ones of importance that have been captured. And in fact whether of importance or not they are the only ones that have been captured at all. All of this the 5th Corps has the honor of doing and would do more if Gen. Grant let them I believe…………..Your affectionate son/ George P. Ramsdell.”

George P. Ramsdell was an 18 year old clerk and resident of Newton, MA, who mustered into Co. “K”, 32nd Mass. Infy on 7/25/1862. He re-enlisted on 1/1/1864 and was mustered out in Washington, DC, on 6/29/1865. His 32nd Mass regiment was mustered into service in November 1861. From the summer of 1862 on it served with the 5th Corps, transferring from 1st Division’s 1st Brigade to the 2nd brigade that fall. Throughout it participated in all the major campaigns of the Army of the Potomac from McClellan’s 1862 Peninsular Campaign through Lee’s surrender at Appomattox in April 1865. During service it lost 144 men killed and mortally wounded and 145 by disease for a total of 289.

A pair of fine 32nd Mass. letters from Corporal Ramsdell of the ambulance corps. Contains superb fifth Corps commentary. Accompanied by documentation.

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