Baton Rouge Sept 21st/63
Dear Mother
I have been trying to write to you for a long time but have so much to do that it has been very inconvenient. I put off writing when I heard you was going down East for a few days and then when I want to write I cant. I have unanswered Two of your Letters, one marked No 1 written Aug 11 which I have just recd. and the one you wrote at York. Yesterday, Sunday, I was on Picket and came off this morning & I leave my Gun uncleaned to write to you. We are having beautiful weather, so cold that it's hard to keep warm with our Blankets, especially on Picket by noon it will be hot as ever and I suppose that is the reason we feel the Cold Air at night.1
You cannot imagine how glad I was to have you go round as you did for I think you need something of the Kind very much. Did you use my Money? I hope so. You never need to be affraid to use the Money I send home.
I wrote to Father and I guess he'll answer it anyway you must tell him to. I suppose your next will tell me about the Camp Meeting and all about York. I think I should feel at home in a Camp Meeting now not only in regard to the Camp but the Meeting Oh: how much I should like to be where I could go to Meeting and Prayer Meetings to. I always loved to go to Prayer Meeting, and to make fun of such things, I never did. but I think I shall be deprived of them, only a short time and then we can go together.
I have thought of Grandpa a great many times lately and I think I can remember him just as he is now. It made me smile when you wrote about her doing her own work and not wanting any help. I hope I shall see the old Folks again. I guess they would be glad to see me.2
That Picture you sent I like very much but should prefer them separate. Hattie looks as if she felt bad, but was trying to put the best Face on. I dont think she look Mad as you wrote.
Cad & Charlie look natural as life only Cad is a little sober for her I shall send it back with mr Holts Profile as I do not want to many. just twig that Thumb of Charleys with his arm round the Post. I am sorry that Picture of mine dont look natural to you.I had been laying out in the Hospital and got bleached out some. I will send another sometime. The Boys thought it a good one and I'm sure it suits me. Abby sent me a Golden Chain by L--- Jackson3 and I think everything of it for there are so many pieces we used to sing at home. Do you sing out of it much now? I should like to pop in and take a look one of these beautiful Sabbath Evenings.
Well! I'm satisfied nothing to worry about. I feel that my place this minute is sitting on my Knapsack writing to you. seems to me the Boys are remarkably quite & no trouble whatsoever but all happy and working together just like marching by Company Front — Lute can tell you what that is & Co. I can march as square as a Board & it's because each one does his best, going strait ahead & not looking to see what this one & that one is doing. We have a drill every morning lasting 45 minutes, just enough to give us good exercise. It's the Guard, Picket & Police Duty that gives us so much to do.
Last Friday we had a grand Review and were out all the afternoon We had orders read to us about the news from Burnside & Rosecrans and each Regt. sent up a Cheer that was deafning. It is a mere matter of opinion how soon this war will close but we all have facts that show our Army to be driving the Rebs into a place where they cant get out. When a strike is made, it will be made by all the Gens at once and the whole concern will cave in then.
Gen Banks has gone to Texas & he has with him the 14th Army Corps of Grants Army so we may expect some good news from him soon. Do you see the great need of our putting down the Rebs and keeping a Force there? 4
I think one war at a time is enough but when this is over if France and the U.S. have a war I will enlist if before I have a chance to come home. You may think there is no chance for it. We have charged to England every cent lost by the U.S. by the Privateers fitted out there & I don't believe they will pay it, if they dont war will be declared. & it will end in the extermination of Englands Shipping and it's sway over Ireland. Well: it will all come out right in the end and we shall soon be the best and most powerful government ever known, which she is now, but with a great chance for improvement.
I have got quite a number of Letters to answer John & Hats also one from Liz Carter which I shall answer soon.
I wrote to Mr Daniels last but he does not seem in a hurry to answer it. Let him take his own time for I have more than I ought to answer now. We shant have to drive so long and then I like to write all the time.
All the Milton Boys are pretty well — C. Littlefield5 often speaks of your putting Camphor on his Face in the Boston Depot. Do you remember him? Give my love to Father, Lute and tell John & Hat I will write to them next — also to Charlie & Cad
Henry
1 The Regimental History states "On the 2d of September, a large portion of the troops at Baton Rouge embarked for what was then supposed to be a Texan expedition; and the Thirty Eighth was ordered out to guard the street leading from the levee and prevent any of the men from leaving their command — an unpleasant duty at all times."
2 Henry's paternal grandparents were John Moulton (1780-1867) and Olive Grant (1791-1897). The Moulton Annals — Thomas of York p. 191 states that "John (Moulton)… Owned and occupied the house that Colonel Jeremiah lived in before him. Was a ship carpenter and owned a large farm as he always wanted a great deal of land."
3 Henry's reference to 'a Golden Chain' refers to William B. Bradbury's "The Golden Chain", a popular Sabbath School melody published 1861 — it sold 2 million copies. Click on the thumbnail at right for a full image.
4 See footnote 1.
5 Charles G. Littlefield, from Milton was promoted to Corporal Jan 1, 1864. wounded Sept. 19, 1864 at Winchester, VA. He survived the war.