Sgt Henry T Blanchard Co K 2nd RI KIA Wilderness 4PP, pencil signed Henry.
Camp
Sedgwick Va. Dec. 5th 1863
Dear
Father
I
will endeavor to answer your kind letter which I received last night. Although
I have nothing very interesting to write. I am well happy to hear you were all
well, and hope you may continue to enjoy the blessing of possessing good
health. We are now getting some rest after our tedious march, but from
appearances, I do not think we shall get as much as we need before we have
another troop for tonight, we have had orders to be ready to move at a moment’s
notice. It is reported that we shall fall back across the Rappahannock and go
into winter quarters, The 3rd Army Corp moved today. I don’t think we shall
make another forward movement this winter. While
we were over the Rapidan, men in our army and in the rebel army were firing on
the skirmish line and they had to be brought off on stretchers. It was so cold
when my Co. was out skirmishing that we could hardly load our pieces. I thought
thence that my chance of reaching R.P. In 6 months was pretty slim, but old Co.
K gave Johnny Reb all they wanted. One time while we were firing the 2nd
Corp and our Div held their knapsacks all piled up ready to go in a charge, and
the 2nd Corp fellows, Men were cursing and swearing because we were firing so
much for they thought we should bring on a general engagement. When our Co. had
been relieved and men falling back to line of battle a man asked a little
Irishman in the Co. where we had been. The reply was the foremost in battle was
Co. K. The men went off smiling. If you had seen the army falling back you
would have thought that some great foot race was taking place. We marched 21
miles in 9 hours, These plank roads are gay roads to skedaddle on, but I have
written now quite a letter and can affirm it will not be very interesting. So
with a few lines more and I will close.
Blake (Ebenezer Blake) and myself had our thanksgiving dinner. Bill of fare
consisted of turkey, beans, apple sauce, soft bread butter and cheese and
coffee. I wish you could have seen us pitch in to it. I hope Jim Harvy will
have a pleasant time serving his country fighting for the flag oc. I will now bring my letter to a close. You
must write often and I will try to do the same. 6 months from today I hope to see
you all.
Accept
my love, From your affect Son
Henry
Dear
Sister
It
was with great pleasure that I received your letter & was happy to hear you
had recovered from the diphtheria which you were threatened with, I was
thinking the other day how I should like to be at home now and skating with you
for I suppose you must have had some by this time. It has been cold enough to
freeze water in our canteens. Well 6 months and then I hope to have the
pleasure of seeing of seeing you, and wont we have some splendid times. I shall
bring myself home and we will have a fine time going down to the shore etc. But
as I have to write yet to mother & hence I shall have to close. You must
write often. Heep lots of love,
from your affect Brother
Henry