Co. G. 37^th Mass. Vols.

In Camp near Falmouth.

January 24. 1863.

 

Dear Folks at Home—

                                    We have just come back from our unsucessful and fool’s errand, and I think it probable that we remain here now for some time. Consequently, if a box of things which I have spoken of in my previous letter can be started immediately it would be a grand thing. I know of no other way of directing it only as you direct your letters being careful to have the thing all arranged / with the Express agent sending to me the receipt. Possibly express boxes for this Reg. may be directed in the care of an agent which we expect to have in Washington to attend to them If so, people in the towns which have companies in this Reg. would know of it before we should We know of no such change of address as yet.

 

Perhaps it would be best to write to Orpha about it and she can find out and tell you. yet I would spend no time or delay at all on this account Express boxes come every week lots of them I want you to put in a / shingling hatchet, ground sharp, with a handle on I would like a silk handkerchief or two. Lucius I wish you would get a necktie for me. When we get paid off I will repay. The box that you send if you send any (mind you I leave it with you, if you don’t think it best to send it don’t do it, but I shall expect it) should be nailed securely and bound tightly with hoop iron.

 

The Address you can get marked at some paint shop. Mark it in this way,

 

Samuel E. Nichols

Care of Capt. M. T. Moody,

Co. G. 37^th Mass. Vols

2^nd Brigade, 3^rd Div. 6^th Corps

                                    Washington

                                                D.C. /

 

The fatigue and sickness accompanied by occasional deaths from complete exhaustion was awful yet beyond your formost power for conception. To prevent straggling and halting of the soldiers officers would ride their horses upon the men and even take a squad of soldiers and drive them on at the point of the bayonet. yet straggling and falling from the rank were frequent. I never was so completely used up in my life, but I stood her through and never fell out of the ranks and am now feeling pretty well with the loss of ten pounds of my weight I got hurt in my left eye /

 

which troubles me some this morning but I shall soon get the better of that

Tues. we started Tues night it began to rain and continued to till Thursday night this put a stop to all maneuvering of artillery and the enemy was putting up rifle pits & entrenchments to receive us, and so the whole thing was knocked in the head. A large number of the pontoons were stuck in the mud and only got out by the utmost perseverance and an additional number of horses. Usually six horses draw a pontoon boat I saw 18 horses & 50 men drawing on one & were drawing at the same place till I got out /

 

[around the margin] of sight. 16 or 18 horses to a field piece was a common sight & Sunday morning found our movement a failure. Yesterday we came back. What next I cant tell you.

SOURCES