The following letter was written by Joseph L. Gordon (1846-1904), the son of Ephraim Gordon (1805-1873) and Margaret Sheeler (1802-1896). He wrote the letter to Hannah Scrib [Squibb] whom he would marry after the Civil War.

Joseph wrote the letter while serving in Co. M, 198th Pennsylvania Infantry—a regiment that was not organized until the summer of 1864. They were sent to Petersburg battle front in September and assigned to 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 5th Army Corps commanded by Gen. Warren. The Battle of Peeble’s Farm was their first engagement. This letter describes the December 1864 expedition by the 5th Army Corps to destroy the Weldon Railroad. It began on 6 December and until the evening of the 9th, the work went on vigorously as planned—the ties being burned and the rails twisted—to a point beyond Bellefield, Virginia.

Joseph’s letter was mailed in an envelope ornamented with a red iron cross—the badge of the 1st Division, 5th Army Corps.

Transcription

Camp in front of Petersburg, Virginia
December 28th 1864

Your very welcome, welcome letter came to hand in good time. It found me enjoying good health. I am well at present and hope these few lines may find you enjoying good health. You must excuse me for not writing sooner for we had to go on a hell of a march the next day after I received your letter. We had been marching for three weeks straight ahead.

We marched within three miles of North Carolina where we tore up the Weldon Railroad for the Johnnies. We tore it up for about seventy miles and the old women said we ought to be ashamed of ourselves for tearing up that railroad. There was about one hundred thousand men of us—that is, infantry. Besides [that] there was about twenty thousand cavalry. We took three forts and all the men and cannon that was in them and burnt all the buildings within our reach. It was said to be one of the greatest marches that has been done since the war [began].

We marched for about three hundred miles and in the mud almost up to our knees. We captured almost everything but girls. We would have captured them but they would have nothing to do with the Black Yanks as they called us.

Well, for a change, Richard Harts said he would sent his likeness if he could get it taken but we can’t just now. I will send you mine as soon as I can get it taken. I want you and Lide Patton to send me yours. If you do, there is a nice young man bunks with me. I will get his and send it to you. You can tell Lide Patton that I am going to write to her soon.

Well, hope you spent a pleasant Christmas. It didn’t seem much like Christmas here. I hardly knew it was. I must bring this letter to a close. No more at present. My love to you. Goodbye. Be good to yourself. Write soon. From your true and affectionate friend, — Joseph L. Gordon

When you read this letter, think of me an don’t forget to write to me. Address: Co. M, 198th P. V., Washington D. C.