Thomas Pimer, 21st. C.V.I., April 30, 1865
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Office Chief Quartermaster
24th Army Corps
Richmond Va. April 30th 1865
Dear Father,
Your very welcome letter was
received on the 19th inst. at that time we were on the
march and it was impossible for me to answer.
since our arrival here the business of the Office
has been so great that I have had no time to write
untill the present moment. since I last wrote
you, there has past many eventfull days, for
the glorious cause of the Union during which
time, I have traveled far, and witnessed many
thrilling seens. I was on the battlefield
before Petersburg, on Sunday, the 2nd inst, and
on Monday, entered the City, remaining
there untill noon, at which time we started
for Lynchburg, a distance of ninety miles.
on the second day we overtook the Enemy
at Burkville, and from that point we had
to fight our way through to Appomattox
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Court House, at which place we arrived on Saturday
night the 8th inst. the Enemy had made a stand
there withe the intention of opposing our further
advance. But Genl Grant proved to smart for
them, and on Sunday morning Genl. Lee
woke up to find his whole Army, completely
surrounded, and he could do nothing but
Surrender. A Flag of Truce was sent in, and
Grant offered terms of surrender, which was
accepted at 4 oclock that afternoon. the final
surrender took place at 8 A.M. Monday the 10th inst.
You are probialy posted through the Papers,
of the proceedings attending the surrender, and
of the strength of Lees Army, so I will not give
all the details. the 24th Corps was left to
settle up the business, which took untill
the following Saturday. on Sunday the 16th
we left for Richmond, arriving here
on the 25th In Richmond at last.
The thoughts of being in the very heart of this
Rebel Strong hold, which has seemingly been
the oppressive point of a four years war, for
which there has been so many hard fought Battles
in which thousands of our brave + noble
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Heroes have fallen, makes my very soul tremble.
That Rebel Rag which for four years has flown in
disgrace oer the heads of a misguided people
is now torn down, and the good old Flag, the
Stars + Stripes, no floats Proudly + triumphan-
tly over the Rebel Capitol.
I have often wished that I could pass the
remainder of my time in Richmond, and I
have my wish at last, and shall remain here
untill August, when I will bid farewell to
the Army, and once more return to my Home
a free Man.
Dear Father, there is nothing gives me more
pleasure, than to know that you feel confidence in me,
and do not hesitate to give your free and willing
consent to my getting married without knowing
only by what I write, of what are the circumstances
of my intended's family, of their condition in
life, and their standing in Society. I feel Proud,
indeed very Proud, to know that you place such
perfect confidence in me, and I would not be
guilty of abuseing such, for the world itself.
I thank you + Mother, with all my heart
for the permission granted, and for your well wishes
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for my future Happiness and Prosperity, and
I hope and trust there will nothing happen
eather by word, deed, or action, of myself or
her that is to be my wife, to cause you to
relent of ever giving your consent.
The family of my intended, are of that
Class usually called Aristocratic Germans.
they are from Leipzig, Germany, and have been
in this country some twelve years. the Father
is an eminent Lawyer, having practiced Law
successfully in Leipzig, for over thirty years.
He came to this country to practice Law, and
followed it in Charleston for some time.
he is now to old to practice, and lives at
home with his family. he is very accomplished
and highly respected by all who know Him.
The Mother is a very amiable, pleasand, and
industrious woman, and one who can
converse on most any subject, and claims
the respect of all who ^are acquainted with
them. They are not Rich, neather are
they Poor, but are well situated, and able
to live with ease. The name of the family
is Richter, and the young Ladies name
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is Maggie Richter, and tis the only name
I ever truly loved. The Girl is not Handsome
but is very good looking, and although if
she were neither, I should think just as much
of her, and Love her even more. she is very
well Educated Intelegent, and accomplished.
and is not behind in working. she can go
into the Kitchen and get up a spleanded
dinner. She can do a good days washing
and clean up the home, without finding
any fault, then she can sit down to Knit,
Sew, and darn stockings, as well as any one.
on the other hand she can go into the Parlor
and play the Ladies part to perfection, and
one would think to see her here that she
could do nothing else. You may laugh
at the description I have given of her but
just as I have said just so you will find
her, and a woman like that is the only one for
me. I will tell you what she done for me while
I was there. She made me four line Bosom
shirts. Knit me six pair of Stockings, and
a lot of Government Clothes, which I drew
were all altered over by her besides doing
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all of my washing. she is in all a fine
girl, and will make me a good Wife,
and that is all I care for. I know you
will like her, and will not say that I
have been foolish in making such a
choice.
I am very glad that my last letter
proved satisfactory, and I hope you will
not be lead to think thus of my again.
I am sorry that Mother is troubled
so much with that humor, and I
hope she is better now. give me Love to
her, and my respects to all Friends.
and Please excuse the writing of this
letter for I have run it off instead of
writing it. (I can write better if I only
take time) answer soon and I
remain as ever
Your Loving Son
Tho. K. Pimer
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