The following letter was written by Thomas P. Mullen (1834-1863), a private in Co. E, 29th Massachusetts Infantry. Thomas was the son of Nathaniel P. Mullen (1808-1881) and Jeanette Tilden (1814-1886). Thomas was residing in Kingston, Plymouth county, Massachusetts, just prior to his enlistment. He died of chronic diarrhea in a Washington D. C. Hospital on 9 January 1863.
Transcription
Camp Butler
Newport News [Virginia]
April 1st 1862
Dear Friend,
I received your kind note and I was much pleased to hear from you. There is nothing to write about so you must make this do. You have heard of the Battle at Newport News. I was here and saw all of it and it was a hard sight to see—them coming up so bold and [ ]. The Rebel steamer [CSS Virginia] come out of Norfolk from that day till today, but she won’t come out far because there is two large steamers down to the Fort [Monroe]. There was one came down the river and fired four shells in our camp but she went away quick. 1
It is beautiful weather here. The Union men has planted peas and potatoes and all of their summer vegetables are all up and they look nice. I ain’t broke my pledge yet and I don’t mean to. That is the best way. Give my love to Mary Frittle and to Hattie Frittle and to all of the girls. I don’t know of anymore to write about so I must close by bidding you goodbye. — Thomas [ ] Millen
1 The Battle of Hampton Roads between the U.S.S. Monitor and C.S.S. Virginia occurred off the shore of Newport News March 8-9 of 1862.
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