Thomas Pimer, 21st C.V.I., May 21, 1865

Thomas Pimer, 21st C.V.I., May 21, 1865

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

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

Civilians in war -- Virginia -- History -- 19th century1865

Military occupation

Thomas Pimer writes to his father of his impending discharge, an opportunity to participate in the occupation of Texas, and the current status of Richmond.

1865-05-21

Office, Chief Qr. Mr.
24th Army Corps.
Richmond Va. May 21st, 1865
Dear Father


Tis nearly three weeks
since I wrote you and have received now answer and
I am getting very anxious to hear from you and know
if you are Sick or well. one week ago I received
a letter from Goerge. he said that you were suffering
with a bad hand and did not state what the
injury was, but said you would be unable to write
for some time and said I must not be worried if
I did not hear from you. but how can I help being
worried and troubled when my Dear Father lies
sick and suffering hundreds of miles away, and
I cannot see him or hear from him. Oh: if I could
only feel assured that when this letter reaches you
it will find you well again I should be satisfied
but I have not the assureance, and can only hope and
pray for it to be so, write me as soon as possible and
if you cannot write get some one else to write for
you that I may know immediately how you are.
[page 2]
It was reported here some six days since that the War-Dept.
has issued an order for the immediate discharge of all
Volunteers whose term of Service expires prior to Oct 31st 1865.
I have been expecting the Order to arrive here daily but as
yet none has been received. Such an Order I learn has
been issued from the War-Dept, but has not been promulgated
through the different Commands it is expected every
day and within five days after it arrives here I can get
my discharge.
Dear Father a Gentleman this morning called to
see me and made me a very good offer and before
accepting or refusing him I wish to have your
oppinion and good judgement on the matter
the 25th Corps. composed of Colored Troops has been
Ordered to Texas and are to start in two or three
weeks and there is wanting to complete the
command some two hundred Civillian Clerks
both in the Adjutant Genls. Office and in the
Quartermasters Department. the Gentleman has
offered me a position in eather of the Departments
and is very anxious for me to go. the wages
to be paid are from $1.25 to $1.30 a month and I
am to make a written aggreement to stay one year.
I think the pay very good and much better
[page 3]
than I could get at Home at the present time but as for going
away down to Texas is quite annother thing. I do not
know anything about that part of the country. it might be
an advantage to me and it might be a great disadvantage.
I think more of enjoying good health than anything
else. out here I am perfectly healthy and as hearty
as a buck and I am improving very fast in weight
but I dont know how it would be in Texas and for
that reason I want your advice. are you willing for me
to go and do you think it best that I should go. I
leave it for you to decide and whatever you advise so
will I act.
We are having excellent weather here just at present
but rather warm so much so that it is impossible
to be comfortable during the day. tis so warm and
clost in the office that we have to defer our work
untill evening. if the warm weather continues
to increase I don’t know what we will do in August.
I think twill be the hotest summer that we have
experienced for several years. Richmond presents
entirely a new picture now from what it did when
we came here. the Stores are all opened and all
the different branches of business is being transacted
the same as of old. the Streets which abounded
[page 4]
in filth, and dirt of every description have been
thuroughly cleaned and are swept nearly every
day by the D*****s. the part of the City which
was destroyed by fire on the evacuation is being
rapidly rebuilt and tis intended to put up much
finer buildings than those which were these before.
The Rail roads are all running and Boats
also. the Citizens are allowed to go where they
please without having passes and in all everything
appears the same as in one of our own cities.
I am affraid Father that I shall have
to hastely end my letter as I have got to attend
the Colonel who is going to the Generals. but
for that I could write all night for nothing gives
me more pleasure than to sit down and write you
a good letter. give my Love to Mother and
all the family. give my kind regards to Mrs
Shepard and to Mrs Chapell and now
hoping with all my heart that this will find
you well and able to write me a speedy answer
I will close by remaining
Your Loving Son
ThS K Pimer

ALS