Letter from Gooch , Charles W.
| Soldier: Gooch , Charles W. |
| Allegiance: Union |
| Unit/Service Branch: 27th Infantry |
| Home State: Maine |
| Date Written: Thursday, March 26th, 1863 |
| Location: Camp Genl. Casey, Virginia |
| Correspondence Type: Letter |
| Subjects: Comrades, Daily Life, Eastern Theater, Home, Strategy, Wife/Girlfriend |
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My Dear Wife,
I thought I would imrove the present opportunity to inform you that I am well and hope you enjoy the same blessings.
We have not gone yet but I expect to go tomorrow. There was three teams came back yesterday and the remainder is expected today and if they do not shall be likely to go tomorrow. The most of us there will have to be some stop and perhaps I may not go but I cannot tell now but if I should stop til Sunday I will try and write to you again. The teamsters say it is from 18 to 20 miles from here and a good gravel road to get there on and that it is a good high place and plenty of wood there. It is said that we are not in the defences of Washington now but are in Casey's Division and Hooker's Corps. We are on the right wing of the army of the Potomac but whether we are in the reserve or not I do not know. In fact I do not think it is decided yet. I should have liked to have stopped here a little while longer but I expect it is time the campaign was begun if ever they calculate to do anything.
I received a letter from you yesterday. I was very glad to hear from you for I felt some uneasy about you for your letter was some three day's out of time. You some evaded my question I asked about Mr C and Mrs W but you gave me to understand that all was not right much to her and his shame. The rack would not be too good for them. You said whatever stories I heard about others not to think anything wrong about my wife. In answer I would say that I did not harbor such a thought about you my dear nor for one minute have I doubted your chastity for if I did I should of all men be the most miserable so you see that is the least thing that troubles me but on the other hand I think a good deal about you my dear. I know you have got enough to make you comfortable but that is not all. You have got a little one to care for and protect and I know by your letters if nothing else that you have got a heavy burden on your mind about me. But you must hope for the best and I hope all will end well for it is coming warm weather and our time is most out and I have considerable confidence in Hooker and if the devil does not help those Rebs, I hope for a termination of this conflict before a great while.
We have lived like fighting cocks here since the regiment left. We have had a quarter of beef and bread and plenty of tea and coffee and we cook for ourselves and anyone can cut out a think slice or a thin one just as they like. You know which I like.
The teams has come in since I have been writing but I do not know when we shall go neither do I know as I can get to Alexandria but I shall try. I like to have forgot to answer your question about who wrote the news that I wrote about. I cannot answer you definately. I think 3 or 4 of the wives have written about it. I have not inquired about it any but some of them have told me some things. I do not blame you for not writing about it. I think you showed wisdom in not doing it but you know I like to hear the news.
The teamsters say the boys got along first rate and led the 25 some miles there. I cannot think of anything more that will interest you and I shall have to close. So hopeing that neither of us will do anything to lower us in each other's estimation and that no harm will befall us and that we may meet again in the full enjoyment of health and strength to live together and enjoy as many happy hours together as we have if nothing more but I hope that there is many happy days in store for us and believe me to be you affectionate and loving husband C
PS I suppose the address of the regiment will be Washington as before at present.
(Charles W Gooch)
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