Goldsboro N.C.
April 14th 1865
Dear Mother
I have been so busy since we arrived here that I have had little oportunity of writing and as I expected to stay have waited. Our great hurry wound up to Day after building us a splendid House & moving into it but I am not sure of ocupying it many nights for we expect Orders to move to Raleigh which has been occupied by Shermans Men. I dont exactly relish the idea of marching there but I think of sending home what Clothes I do not need then I shall be ready for it: It is getting so warm here now that I dont need much & if I send them I shall get rid of some luging when I follow which will be soon to say the most:
I cannot express to you the joy and thankfulness we all feel over the great News of the surrender of General Lee's Army. The Paper Lute sent told me of the great excitement in Boston on the 2nd & I greatly wonder what it was on the 9th.1 We may now safely say the end is near and it will not surprise me if General Johnson gives up to Sherman without firing a Gun: even if he holds out it will be for a short time only:
I know somewhat how you must feel at the prospect of an end to fighting and hope you will now be as easy as you can about me: I know you have always worried and I look forward with pleasure to the time when I can show that I have been grateful:
It was night before last when the news of the surrender of Lee reached us: there was the greatest cheering I ever heard. Our Colonel is in command of the defences of this place and the Reg't. is scattered over the City: eight Co's. are doing Provost Guard Duty and two on other Guard, our Co. among them:
We have got a splendid House built and it is a great pity to leave it however I like the idea of going to Raleigh even if we have to march: I have had a grand time over the Papers which came in that Savannah Mail, in that rec'd. Sunday direct, & the Letters: I was very glad to hear from Father & should like to write to him now but if I dont he cant complain:
There has been so much excitement of late that I can hardly write a Letter so you must excuse me this Time & in a few days I will write at some length:
Many thanks to Lute for those Papers: give my Love to him, to Father and all accepting the same and hope to hear from you all soon
From your Aff. Son
Henry
April 15th
P.S.
I have packed the box this morning & am about to send it: My Friend Baker2 is the "recruit" Lute saw in Boston. He will be discharged with the Reg't. as well as all the other Recruits with us: When convenient Grant's Coat may be sent to Mr. Langs at the Rail: Nate C. can take it: It may not reach you for some little time but I guess it will come & in good shape:
The prospect of leaving is about the same: I think we shall be in Raleigh next week: To morrow will be our marching Day probably: Although I have seen no Official acc't. of the 19th Corp being broken up. we now belong to the 3rd Brigade. 1st Division 10th Corps Terry comdg There is a Div. of Boston in it also I hope we shall do the Provost Duty there anyway.
I dont much care now.
George H. Moulton
I Co. 38th Mass Vols. Newbern
3rd Brig 1st Div 10th Corps
1 The great excitement of April 2nd resulted from Grant's forces overpowering Confederate lines at Petersburg ensuring the fall of Richmond, the capital of the Confederacy. A week later, April 9, Lee surrendered his army to Grant at Appomattox Court House.
2 "My Friend Baker" was Marcus T. Baker, Boston. Joined Regiment, Jan. 12, 1865: transferred to 26th Mass. Vet. Vols., June 22, 1865, along with several "other Recruits".