William enlisted on August 21^st, 1862 and was mustered into Company C of the 18^th Maine Infantry. In December, he was transferred out and into Company C of the 1^st Maine Heavy Artillery with the rest of the 18th. Yet again, he had an opportunity to transfer, and on June 15, 1863, he discharged and commissioned into Company G of the 80^th USCT as a 1^st Lieutenant.  The 80^th was formed from the 8^th Corps d’Afrique and spent its war service operating throughout Louisiana – primarily garrisoned at Port Hudson.

William was still in the 18^th when he penned this letter to his wife on September 20^th, 1862.  In it, he talks of being well, and briefly discusses personal matters. He also updates her on the status of friends impacted by the war.  As a true soldier might, he hopefully buys into circulating rumors that “Jackson and Lee are taken prisoner so they say and most all of their army. They have been firing down to the city all night, one more victory.  God grant that it may be so.” He closes by telling his wife that he loves her and to kiss the children for him.

Unfortunately, William passed away in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on October 15, 1863 from unspecified disease.  He was described as 5’ 8” tall with brown hair, blue eyes, and a light complexion.

The letter is folded in half vertically and horizontally into thirds. It is written on embossed, lined paper and each half measures 5” x 8.1”.  A 1.7” section has been cut away just under his closing signature on the second page. An accompanying envelope is addressed to Mrs. William Carter of Surry, Maine.  It was opened in such a way as to destroy most of the postmark stamp, but is otherwise complete.

A neat letter from a man who began his volunteer career with the famed 1^st Maine Heavy Artillery – the unit to suffer the single highest single-day loss of life during the Civil War – and ended his life as a company officer of a regiment of United States Colored Troops.  [cm][ph:L]