Thomas Pimer, 21st C.V.I, September 18, 1864

Thomas Pimer, 21st C.V.I, September 18, 1864

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

United States. Army. Connecticut Infantry Regiment, 21st (1862-1865)

Military police

Racism

United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--African Americans

Thomas Pimer writes to his father of serving as a military policeman in Norfolk because of conflicts between Black troops and sailors.

1864-09-18

4-15

Provost Marshals Office.
Norfolk Va, Sept. 18th/64

Dear Father,
It is now some
time since I received your last letter, and
I think by now you are anxious to hear
from me. for the past three weeks my time
has been so much employed with my
duties that I have had no spare moments
to write. to day being sunday, and no
particular business for me to do, I thought
I would improve the opportunity, and
write you a few lines. I am on duty
now both night and day, and it is
very hard for me, as I am deprived of
my sleep. during the day I am in
the office and at night I am on
duty in the City as Policeman.
Necesity compelled the Marshal to put
us on this duty, as we have a Regt.
of Colored troops doing guard duty
in this City, and the many Sailors
that are granted shore liberty here
cannot and will not aggree with the

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N----- guard. they get on shore, and in
two hours they are drunk, and fighting
among themselves, and when the guard
attempts to arrest them, they pitch
in and fight the guard, several
of the N-----s has been killed by
them, and in return the guard has
shot them, and it became a neces-
ity that something should be done
to protect the guards, as they were
placed here by the Genl. Comdg. they
must remain and must do their duty.
some twenty men from this Dept.
were picked out and made Policeman
who were to patrol the City all night.
they devided into reliefs. ten
of them are out untill twelve. the
others untill morning. I was appointed
2nd Chief of Police, and go out from
six untill one at night. I am armed
with a Colts revolver, a small Club,
and a silver whistle and wear
upon my coat a silver Badge, denoting
who, and what I am the duty is not
hard, and I am perfectly well satisfied,
as I had rather do that, and stay here
than go back to the Regiment. the
only thing I care for is my sleep. I

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am very sleepy daytimes, and very
often go to sleep sitting at my desk.
I think I shall get used to it in
time.
I was very sorry to hear that Mother
has been so sick, and hope she will
recover or has recovered by this time.
I have been quite well with the
exception of a Cold which I shall
always have, I never expect to get
entirely clear of it. I understand that
the Yellow Feaver is raging in N.Y.
I hope it is not so to any great extent.
please tell me if any have died of
it. there is no prevaling sickness
here at present. we have had considera-
ble of Typhoid Feaver here, but it is quite
abated now.
Everything ^(has) continued to increase
in price here. it is very hard to buy
the necessities of life. provisions are
so high, and clothing is awfull.
last week I had a Coat + Pants
made, of black broad Cloth, and
they cost me $50.00. Fifty Dollars.
the same could be bought one year
ago, for half the money. it is a
Shame for the merchants to charge

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such enormous prices for their goods
half of it is clear profit.
Hobun is still here but I think
he will go home soon. he is getting
very homesick.
There is no news to write at present.
everything is quiet in this vacinity.
we had a great rejoicing here on
the fall of Atlanta. among the
Union People, but the seceshonists
were down hearted enough.
I have only Eleven months more
to stay in this woe begon country,
and if I can only stay here, I shall
he all right for Home in 1865.
Give my love to Mother and
all the family, and now hoping
this will find you well and in
good spirits I will close. goodby.
Excuse the
writing.
Your Son
Th K Pimer
Box 23
Norfolk Va

ALS