Letter from Gooch , Charles W.

Soldier: Gooch , Charles W.
Allegiance: Union
Unit/Service Branch: 27th Infantry
Home State: Maine
Date Written: Monday, March 23rd, 1863
Location: Camp Genl. Casey Virginia
Correspondence Type: Letter
Subjects: Camp Life, Daily Life, Eastern Theater, On the March, Strategy, Wife/Girlfriend
 

My Dear Wife,

I snatch a few moments to inform you that I am well and hope you enjoy the same blesings. We have been ordered in hasty from the picket line to march to Centerville or near there. There is ten thousand to move tomorrow morning at 6 o'clock AM. I have just come in from picket and have got to pack my knap sack and sew some bottons on my pants and a number of other things to do before we start and it is almost dark now so you must not expect a very long letter this time.

I expected a letter from you today but did not get one. I hope nothing is the matter. I do not expect letters will pass between us so regular as they have before but I shall write as often as I can make it convenient and I want you to do the same. I expect you will have to direct to Washington as usual.

My health is good and I feel competent for the march and hope I shall not falter on the way. I understand it is about 20 or 25 miles from here. What our duty will be there no one knowsbut is under a heavy press of disunion fear among the boys.

I enclose here a belt clasp which I intended to have finished in some different style but I thought I would send it as it is as I cannot do any better now.

I wish I had some good news that I could communicate to you but I have not. I wrote yesterday.

I understand that the whole army is on the move but do not know whether it is true or false. If it is so, perhaps we may be going to do guard ot picket duty nearer the front.

Now do not give yourself any uneasiness for we may get in to a better place and hope for the best and remember equal to the day is the evil there of.

So hopeing soon to come home and see you, I close.

Yours with much love,

C W Gooch