The following letter was written by Joseph Edward Kimball (1839-1896)—a machinist in Ipswich, Massachusetts, who enlisted at the age of 21 in Co. B, 1st Massachusetts Infantry on 23 May 1861. He was discharged on 10 January 1864 to accept a commission in the 3rd North Carolina Colored Volunteers (37th USCT) and also in the 116th USCT.

Joseph was the son of John Kimball (1800-1876) and Rebecca Gould (1804-1888). He had three older brothers and I can’t be certain to whom he wrote this letter.

Joseph’s tombstone inscription reads:

He Fought
For Love Of County
Not Of Arms;
And, With The Country Saved,
He Left The Arts Of War
For Those Of Peace
And To His Record As
A Good Soldier
Added That Of
A Good Citizen

One Who Never Turned His Back,
But Marched Breast Forward;
Never Doubted Clouds Would Break;
Never Dreamed, Tho’ Right Were Worsted,
Wrong Would Triumph…
Held We fall To Rise,
Are Baffled To Fight Better,
Sleep To Wake.

Transcription

1st Regt. Massachusetts Vol.
Near City Point, Virginia
July 6th 1862

Mt dear Brother,

I received your last letter while encamped before Richmond. Ere I had time to forward you an answer, the mails were stopped and the subsequent train of events have left me no time previous to today to tae up a pencil. As I have kept an account from day to day in my memorandum book of all that has transpired which I send with this, I will not attempt to go over again a recital of the fatigue, fighting, and losses which have befallen us during the last week.

We are now encamped on a plain near the James river. Probably we shall remain here for a week or two. The regiment is sadly decimated in numbers. Many overcome by the Johnnys were left behind and a large number were lost in the battle of Monday last. Major [Charles P.] Chandler, an officer dearly beloved on account of his gentlemanly and social disposition is wounded and in the hands of the enemy. This for fortune has spared me. My health is good. Spirits dull. Feel a little fatigued but a few days will bring me out all right.

I am very gratified for your kindness evinced in the tone of your last letter. I have no farther preparation to make then what I have made in case I am killed. As I have never been burdened much with worldly wealth, it’s not like one in my situation to arrange the matters. If I am killed, I can only say make my loss as light as possible to Mother and Father. I have spoken to you and Reg___ & Olivia. If I am wounded and not fatally so, I would wish that some means might be used to take me home to Massachusetts. The wounded are so poorly cared for here that a wound is more to be dreaded than immediate death. This is all I have to say on the subject.

I have one more favor to ask. I am informed by the Colonel that we are to be stopped here for a fortnight or more. The Express line is perfect to this point. I now have to ask that you will immediately forward me a box containing some tea, sugar, coffee, preserves, and a few other articles which you may think of. The fact is brother, we are all tired out, what with fasting, fighting, and fatigue. The coffee used in the Army is more injurious than beneficial. I kind of crave some of the home delicacies. One article further I would like—please enclose half pound of Navy tobacco. You may deem the latter request foolish, but it is nevertheless necessary. Tobacco is the only stimulant I ever used since coming into the Army. Please send the box on as quickly as possible and direct to here as “forwarded immediately.”

I did not intend to write you a long letter as I hardly feel in the mood to write. I mail with this my journal up to today, Please excuse these few lines. I will write again by Monday. My love to Emily. Your stationery came safely to hand, I am very grateful for your kindness. Your affectionate brother, — J. E. Kimble