GOODELL FAMILY LETTERS- #18
 

Anson to Parents

Newbern, N.C.
July 26, [1863]

Dear Father and Mother-

            It is a Sunday. Cool and breezy. Our Inspection is just passed and we are relieved of the knapsack. I tell you there are a few things in a soldier’s life to impress him with the sacredness of the Sabbath. The morning inspection and perhaps a short drill in the manual of arms – comrades washing and making bunks if need be, mending clothes etc. have a great influence of lessen if not destroy that reverence for the Sabbath we used to cherish at home. I have endeavored to keep the same regard as when at home but at times it is impossible and we have to succumb if it is military.

            I have but little news to write. Our life at the Fort is dull and monotonous. The same sound every day – drill, drill while the Regiments have the privilege of going into Country and seeing the sights.

            Your companies of the 25th have just left expedition destination unknown but conjecture to be Wilmington or Fort Darling, Va.

            Newbern is left very slightly defended but we suppose the Gen. knows what he is about. We have quite a force of Cavalry which is quite an advantage for picket duty.

            Yesterday was Pay day for May & June $26.00. We will send you $20 in this and more in our next.

            We are drilling on the heavy gins at the Fort. Drill hours are 7 to 8 & 9 to 10 AM and one hour just before and one hour after supper. The company is divided into two reliefs – 24 men each who drill two hours per day.

            I have not been on  drill but three or four days and two of those I acted as a gunner so I am not prepared to say how the drill will agree with my strength or suit my fancy thus far I like it very well but not as well as Infantry. My musket suits me best of all.

            Our location by the river is very cool and comfortable however there is a longer list of sick than ought to be I think. We are all well as usual. Edwin has a boil on the back of his right hand that will disable him for a day or two. F.W. Perry, Abiel, Morton are well. Hezzie, Tourtelotte[1] – Freeman[2] & Moffitt[3] are on the sick list but getting better. Oscar T[4]. has the chills.

            By the way I had a letter from T.J. Abbott a while since expressing a wish to join our Regiment as a Chaplain. We should like him very much.

            Have you received a package from us by Harvey Newell of Southbridge[5] I don’t recollect of ever hearing anything from it. It was sent last winter I believe.

            How does Waldo like the draft. I wish he would write me but I suppose the animosity of days gone by prevents. Tell uncle Waldo G. we should like a letter from him very much.

                                    Good bye

                                    Your dutiful sons A & E

[Written on top of first page]

Please send the other small picture to me to give to some of my comrades.
[1] Oscar Tourtelotte, a 22 year-old farmer from Dudley, enlisted on September 8, 1862 as a private into Company “D” of the 25th Mass. Infantry. He was mustered out on October 10, 1864.
[2] Albro Freeman, a 20 year-old farmer from Webster, enlisted on October 14, 1861 as a private into Company “D” of the 25th Mass. Infantry. He was mustered out on October 20, 1864.
[3] Christopher E. Moffitt, a 20 year-old farmer from Dudley, enlisted on October 14, 1861 as a private into Company “D” of the 25th Mass. Infantry. H e re-enlisted on January 2, 1864. He was mustered out on July 10, 1865. He was listed as wounded June 3, 1864 at Cold Harbor, VA.
[4] Oscar Tourtelotte.
[5] Harvey V. Newell, a 32 year-old machinist from Northbridge, enlisted on August 2, 1862 as a private into unassigned of the 25th Mass. Infantry. He was discharged for disability on December 8, 1862. He must have brought this package home when he was discharged.
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