Dated “Aug. the/ 3^rd 1863 / Beaufort, S.C.” Addressed to wife. 3pp. in ink on unlined paper, 8” x 10. Exhibits fold-marks, Else VG.

Twenty seven year old Reuben T. Wells enlisted as a private in Co. “E”, 115^th New York Infantry, 8/13/1862. Captured at Harper’s Ferry with his regiment, 9/15/1862, he was paroled the next day, and was mustered out with his regiment at Raleigh, NC, 6/17/1865.

After their capture at Harper’s Ferry, during the Antietam Campaign, which occurred only a month after entering service, the 115^th New York was paroled to Camp Douglas. Re-entering service in November 1862, they were dispatched to the southeaster theater, to the Carolinas and Florida. In the summer of 1864, they were returned to Virginia, attached to the Army of the James, and engaged at Bermuda One Hundred and Cold Harbor, taking part in the occupation of Wilmington, before joining in the Carolinas campaign and the occupation of Raleigh, and were present at the Bennett House for Joe Johnston’s surrender to General Sherman. During service the unit lost 135 killed and mortally wounded and 188 by disease for a total of 323.

In this letter, Pvt. Wells writes principally of the sickly climate facing Union troops during the assault on Charleston during the summer of 1863.

Text: “Most dear and affectionate wife. I have just received your letter (letter) of July the __ and 23 and was glad two hear that you all was well and you had your haying done. Your letter found me well and I guess will leave me well. I have no news this nite. This time our men are most all sick as usual. Harvy Rista is at Hilton Head very sick. The captain was thare yesterday and said the Rista did know him and we think that he won’t live long. Most every week we lose two or three men. I got the pills rite and they was just in time for I was just out. I have two dollars more in a letter two you. We are two be payed torrowor Tuesday and I will send it as soon as I git it. I have sent an order for you county bounty. It is very warm hear and sickly. I have Emma a likeness shortly after I sent you one. I have used some considerable money of our last pay. Jacob Hayes is very sick and has been for some time past. The Gago is due two morrow and then I expect another letter. You didn’t say anything about the draft. Gilmore is fiting up near Charleston. I think Charlestown must fall this time. It is all quite near. No fiting agoing on near us near than Charleston. Rite as soon as you can and as often. Send frills every two weeks. Tell Grande tonight as soon as his eyes will let him I will send you a paper now when you read it let ____ have it two read but they won’t print all the new from Charleston.

I think that the rebels is agoing two hell as fast as they can. Old rasgrands is within forty miles of Savanna with gunboats in Narsaw Sound. This is the report. We have plenty of pigs; sweet potatoes oranges is most ripe. I send fardin a letter and a lot of water melons sees and I wil send him some more seeds as soon as they git ripe or difrance kinds of frute that I think will grow thare. My filds I had two give away when moved far I couldn’t carry them. I will send my money by express two as soon as I git it. Nor more . Rite soon as you git this from you husband two his affectionate wife…..

I still remain your affectionate husband…Give my love two father and mother on boath sides yours and mine. Farewell for awhile. Good buy.”

Despite some rough spelling, a solid letter from a solid private of the 115^th New York. In Protective sleeve.  [JP]  [ph:L]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!