Thomas Pimer, 21st C.V.I, March 12, 1863

Thomas Pimer, 21st C.V.I, March 12, 1863

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

Operations rations (Military supplies)

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

Thomas Pimer writes to his father about his new camp, camp life, and what he is eating.

1863-03-12

Read this as the pages are 1
numbered
Camp at Newport News Va March 12 63
Dear Father
Your Letter of the
9th I have just received and do sit
Immediately down to answer. I was
very glad to hear from you once more
and to know that you are still alive
and well. I am sorry that you are
troubled with rheumatism and
hope that you will get better when
warm weather comes. there are a great
many complaining with the the rheum-
atism out here caused by sleeping
under wet Blankets. I am still
well have enjoyed better health
in the two months past than ever
before, have gained ten pounds
in weight , you would be surprised
to see how the Boys have picked up
since we have been here in our

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old camp at Phalmouth it was
wet most of the time and awfull mudy
we could not be comfortable do the
best we could most of the Boys
got discouraged had one ambition and
gave right up but since we have
been here they have picked up wonder-
fully the Major has put them right
through on Drill and yesterday there
was a general inspection of the regt
by Capt Stephens the inspecter Genl
he pronounsed them to be the best
3 years regiment in the ninth Army
Corps and thinks that we will pass
for Regulars. I think that we shall
be put at Fortress Munroe to do
garrison Duty this summer. I hope
we shall for it is a spleanded place
we are now encamped on the Bank
of the James river 7 miles below
the Fortress our quarters are long
Barracks in one of which ther is
three companies we sleep in

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Bunks put up on eather side it is
quite comfortable in pleasant weather
but when it raines we get pretty wet
and we also have any quantity of
Rats when it is all still at night
they come out and roam arround
in search of our grub once in a while
you will hear some one yell out
that there is a rat under the Blanket
then out jumps the Boys any gather
arround to catch him in the house
that I am in there is about 250 men
and they raisened most all night
one dont get more than four hours
sleep in a night it is a continual
uproar all the time. I was sorry that
the Bread and cakes were spoiled
that mother sent me for they
would have been quite a treat but
I am very much oblige for them
although I could not eat them.
I have written to George and he
has answered it. I shall write to

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4 you oftener that I have done
but hope that you will write
once a month to me. I am
writing now for the Major and
have not much more time to spare
I have no Duty to do now but write
and they keep me at that business
most of the time. I can write a
pretty good hand when I am not
in a hurry and can write fast
have been about fifteen minuits
writing this letter and made
a mistake to. give my respects
to all of the Family tell Del not
to forget what I wrote him.
answer soon and I remain
Your Loveing
Son
TPimer

ALS