The following letter was written by Lemuel Mason Cox (1837-1914) who volunteered in Co. C, 2nd New Hampshire Infantry in May 1861 and served three years and three months before mustering out on 21 June 1864, shortly after the Battle of Cold Harbor. At the time of his enlistment, Lemuel had been boarding in Manchester, Hillsboro, New Hampshire, earning his living as a carpenter. He was described as standing 5 feet five inches tall with gray eyes and brown hair.

The 2nd New Hampshire had a long and storied career, participating in the first battle at Bull Run where they had seven men killed, until they occupied Richmond four years later. At Gettysburg, the 2nd New Hampshire entered battle with 353 soldiers. In under three hours, 47 were killed, 136 wounded and 36 men went missing; of the 24 officers, only three were not killed or wounded. Due to their high losses, the 2nd New Hampshire was assigned to guard duty at Point Lookout, Maryland, with the 5th and 12th New Hampshire Volunteer Regiments. The 2nd New Hampshire returned to battle in time for the Battle of Cold Harbor where it suffered heavy casualties of nineteen killed and 54 wounded.

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Camp Winfield Scott
Warwick Court House
April 28th 1862

Dear Mother,

I now take my pencil in hand to answer your last letter which I received day before yesterday. I should  have answered it yesterday had I been able. I was on guard night before last and was taken sick to my stomach but I stood it through till I was relieved and then went to bed. The doctor gave me two or three kinds of medicine in which I think done me a great deal of good for I am much better today. I will be all right in a day or two.

We have had much rainy weather for a week past but it has cleared off again  since I last wrote to you. We have been as near the rebels as any of the rest that have not fought. They have got their batteries in good shooting distance but if one comes up in sight to load, our sharpshooters  pick them off.

There was twelve regiments went out the other night and cleared the trees away in front of our big siege guns to let the rebs see what we had got for them in a few days. Sundays are no account in the army. Half of our company went out on picket yesterday and the rest went a building corduroy roads. I think I experience a soldier’s life now but I do it cheerfully. When I think that I volunteered my  services to my country, I am perfectly contented. I do not know what to think about the war. Sometimes I think it will end by next fall, and again I think it will last longer. If we had a Washington or a Napoleon at the head of our army, it would have ended the war before this time. I think McClellan is doing well now.

We have heard of the fight at Pittsburg Landing [Shiloh]. They lost their best General [A. S. Johnston]. I do not know who that Lieut. was that was shot. The boys are all well. Charley is the best friend I have got in the army. You say you send the Greenfield paper every week. I do not get it only once in two or three weeks. I believe I have no more to write at present. From your affectionate son, — Lem

April 28th. Afternoon. Most affectionate brother, I thought I would write a few lines to you. I am a great deal better this afternoon. It is clear and hot. I have not heard from you before for some time. The rest of the Heath boys are well. Richard come off picket yesterday. Charley, Spencer, and Frank went on. Your letters are not opened that you send to me. I do not know whether those that I send are opened or not.

It seems to me that you are having a great many cases of sickness and death. I should think Wm. Hunt had begun to preach quite young. Are you a going to stay with Jonas this summer or not? I hope you will get some  steady place. That knife I sent in Herman’s box was a small dirk knife with a German silver handle and a guard. The handle was scalloped.

I received the postage stamps that you and mother sent. Spencer is well. I should like some of Uncle Solomon’s sugar pretty well. You wanted to know what we had for grub. Well, we have our coffee and sugar dealt out to us so we have all the coffee we want and hard bread. I wish I could send you some. That is all we have had since we left Brightwood until yesterday. The boys  had some beans and today some rice and molasses. My mouth watered for them but I had not dare eat them. I must draw to a close in order to write a few lines to William. From your brother, — Lem