Civil War Letter Enlisted Man’s Account of His Regiment’s Young Black Servant

Near-Complete 4-Page Civil War Letter – 6th Pennsylvania Reserves (35th PA), Camp Near Washington D.C., August 1, 1861 – Post-Bull Run Content, Patriotic Capitol Letterhead
 
Offered is a rare, near-complete 4-page autograph letter signed from a Union soldier serving in Company D, 6th Pennsylvania Reserves (also known as the 35th Pennsylvania Infantry) during the early days of the American Civil War.
Dated August 1, 1861, the letter was written from Headquarters, Sixth Regt. P.R.C., Camp Thomas, near Washington, D.C., just weeks after the First Battle of Bull Run (Manassas). The soldier writes to his wife on patriotic letterhead featuring an engraved image of the U.S. Capitol building.
 
In this heartfelt and detailed letter, the writer describes camp life shortly after the chaotic Union defeat at Bull Run. He notes the regiment’s recent arrival in the Washington area, the exchange of worn tents for new ones, minor health issues (diarrhea from changing water), ongoing rumors of movement, and the constant sound of picket firing at night. He comments on the heavy casualties from Bull Run (estimating around 2,000), expresses the men’s eagerness to cross the Potomac and “try their hand at the Rebels,” and mentions not yet having seen General Winfield Scott or President Lincoln (“Old Abe”).
 
Additional personal details include a “very fine Colored Boy” from Chambersburg serving with the unit, complaints about ants getting into their belongings, and a request for a chest to better protect their items. The letter closes with tender family advice, urging his wife to care for their “dear little children” and raise them “in the admonition and fear of God.”
 
This is a wonderful early-war letter full of immediate post-Bull Run observations, patriotic spirit, camp conditions, and personal family sentiment. The 6th Pennsylvania Reserves would go on to see significant action in the Army of the Potomac, including the Peninsula Campaign, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Gettysburg.
 
Headquarters Sixth Regt PRC Camp Thomas Co D Near Washington Aug 1, 1861
My Dear Wife,
I once more take up my pen to inform you that I am well and have been since I left you at Chambersburg. We are still in Camp near the City and are all getting along quite well.
 
We have had very little sickness since we were here that is dangerous in our Company. There is two or three that has had a slight attack of the diarrhea which I suppose was caused by change of water. We have not been moved across the river yet, and for my part I could have no idea how soon we will have to cross. There was a great many soldiers crossing yesterday. There is some talk of us being sent down to the Navy yard but I think that there is no foundation for the rumor. It was very wet all last night and this morning it does not look much like clearing up yet. We have got our old tents all exchanged for new ones with the exception of the Officers tents which is still the old ones and I can tell you they are hard cases.
 
I believe I have about the best one in the whole party and it is nothing to brag about. There are some two or three of them that a small dog could jump out and in through the holes but we expect to have new ones in a few days that will be all right. There is still a great deal of talk about the Battle of Bull’s Run and I think it will be hard to tell the number of the killed and wounded and missing. I see some put it down at 2,000 and I think that is about as near the mark as any. I have seen they give the number of each regiment and appear to be about as well posted as any I have seen.
We have considerable drill but are not allowed to drill any in the morning before Breakfast which pleases me very much as you know I am fond of lying in bed until the Breakfast is ready. We have a very fine Colored Boy with us. He is from Chambersburg and I like him very much. He was very badly scared when he heard the first firing after we got him which was the second night, but he has got used to it now and is like the rest of us does not mind it much. We can hear the picket firing almost every night. Sometimes it lasts for two or three hours at a time and almost [every] night. There are some of them killed and also prisoners taken on either side.
Our men are all anxious to get over the River to try their hand at the Rebels. Our camp is in sight of the Capitol Building and only about 1/2 mile from there. I have not seen Gen. Scott yet nor old Abe as they call him. If you have not sent the chest to me yet I wish you would send it as soon as you can for it. We have nothing to put our things in that is middling tight. The ants gets into them. It is the worst place for them animals.....
 
More troops coming in from all parts of the country and if I may judge I think there is in and about Washington something like 60,000 troops if not more. Mother I give my best wishes to you hoping you are well. I want you to content yourself as much as possible and do not think more about me than you can help. My dear little children try and bring them up in the admonition and fear of God....