William Digby Smith, 14th C.V.I., April 24, 1865

William Digby Smith, 14th C.V.I., April 24, 1865

United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Sources

United States. Army. Connecticut Infantry Regiment, 14th (1862-1865)

United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Campaigns--Appommatox Campaign, 1865

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865 -- Assassination

William Smith describes to his wife the march from Appomattox Court House to Richmond, his witnessing of Lee's surrender, his sadness at Lincoln's death, and his suspicion of the Confederate soldiers.

1865-04-28

3-1-70

Burksvill April 234^rd  1864
Dear wife this makes the 3 letter
I have written to you and I have
not received a letter from you
Sinse you mentioned in your letter
Abbout george mays wife Abbout
to know if he was left on the field
he was not he and lucius Biddell
was buried Dear wife goerge has
written 4 letters home and he has got
3 from home So has himan
Crowell the all get letters but
me it tis a long time to wait for
A letter but I will wait pationtley
for one this week Dear wife I mentioned
in my other 2 letters abbout the
march it twas a hard one but we
have not got through with it yet
it is reported to day that we are
going to richmond we are to have
4 days rations in our haversacks
and 8 days in the wagons So I do

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know whare we are bound for next
but I had Some hopes of getting home
Next Month but I think know we will have
to Serve our time out but it tis only 3 and
A few this is not a very healthey place we
are know the most of us has got the
Disenterey I have had it pretty bad on the
march but I have got over it know I menti^oned
it in my other letters Dear wife it twas
A Sad news Abbout the presidents
Death I wish he could have Served 4
years more then I think the Johneys would
have been pretty well plaid out I donth
like the way that they are let to run
Abbout know with Arims and Equipment
I donth belive in them if I had my way
of them I would not let one of them
have there libertey untill this thing was
Settled Dear wife I have got a check
I would have Sent it in my last
letter but I was affraid because
I got know letter from you but
I will Send it in this letter

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for we expect to move again in the morning
So I donth want to carrey it in my pocket
Any longer whare we are going I cannot
tell but we are to have  12 days rations
it tis Some good march or other for
the 2^nd Core but keep up good courage
3 and a few Dear wife we lost a good
man when we lost general Smith he
was wounded the day before lee Surinder^ed
our brigade was abbout as far as toms
house from whare lee Surindered when
mead came through the Brigade the
boys cheered and flung up there caps
and Knabsacks it twas a quare old
time hear if you Ever get them
letters I Sent you you will find all ^the
knews Abbout it George he is well
and So is the rest of the old boys
in Co B Dear wife I must draw
to a Close hoping this will find
you and the children well as
this laves me at present thank
god but I want a letter from

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from you the worst way it tis a long
time but there is Some more fellows in
the company that has not got a letter as
well as me give my love to father and family
Mr hubbard and family David John and
family So good boy Dear wife
for this time kiss the Children
for me No more at present
from your loving Husband
William D Smith
            rite to me
            for Pitey Sake
I was the first one
in the Company to right
to you when we got back from
the march So this makes 3 you
Aught to get Some of them
Good boy George he is at
Division Head Quarters yet
he is well I Seen him last
night

ALS