Submitted by Stephen Altic
Submitter's notes:
Research done by the owner of this letter has narrowed the author down to two likely choices: John F. Lewis of Bridgeport or John F. Bartlett of Bridgeport. Any other information would be greatly apreciated and can be directed to the webmaster
Camp Near Brooks Station, Virginia
April 13th, 1863
My Dear Wife,
I have been expecting a letter from you for some time but receiving none I thought I would write you. I am quite well and we expect to move in a day or two but I don’t know which way we shall go, probably in the direction of Richmond. The left wing of our Corps left this morning for Warrington. Our Corps is commanded by Major General Howard. The whole corps was on a review last Saturday. Old Abe was also present and congratulated us very highly for our good discipline and military appearance. There was eighteen thousand troops in one field. It was a great sight. I wish you could have seen it. Our regiment have received no money yet and I don’t know when to expect it for they have disappointed us so many times. I don’t know when to expect it but it must come before long for there is a great many wants it to send to their families at home. If you are in any great need of money you must take some out of the bank. I hope I shall get some before long so that I can send you some but I cannot help it as I am placed. I have just been out on three days Picket duty and have just got in camp and I feel very tired. John’s paper’s have been sent in for his discharge. He will get them before many days and return to his home. Sergeant Bosworth has returned from home. He brought me some tobacco that mother sent me and a pair of suspenders. Father and Mother fret a good deal about me, but told him to tell me to keep up good courage. He would do all he could for me. I got a letter from Harmon Lane. He is in Fairfax Hospital. He has had the Typhoid fever for three months and is not able to walk yet. His wife has been out there tending to him. So you see we all have our trouble. My dear, try and get along the best you can, kiss the little ones for me. I will send you a picture of My Cabin drawn by George Phillips of our company. It is a perfect picture of it. I have a little ring that I made out of a beef steak bone that I will send to Hattie but I guess it is too large. I have not much news this time. Will try and write you a longer letter the next. Hoping you will write soon I will close by sending my love and a kiss for you all and may God bless you is the prayer of one that is thinking of you.
Always your affectionate husband John
May clouds never darken your pathway