The following letter was written by John Milton Richard (1843-1864), the son of Samuel Richard (1800-1882) and Christiana Denniston (1809-1891) of Buffalo township, Butler county, Pennsylvania. John and his younger brother, Robert Quillan (“Quill”) Richard (1845-1864) both enlisted in August 1862 to serve in Co. H, 139th Pennsylvania Volunteers. Neither survived the war. Robert was killed on 5 May 1864 in the Wilderness, and John was killed at Fort Stevens two months later. The Rolls of the Adjutant General inform us that Orderly Sergeant John M. Richards was killed on the skirmish line before Washington D. C. on 12 July 1864—his loss most assuredly felt deeply not only by grieving parents but by Susan (Schuster) Richard who had married John on 31 July 1862, just before he marched off to serve his country.

This letter was datelined from the encampment of the 139th Pennsylvania near White Oak Church some two weeks after the Battle of Chancellorsville where the regiment suffered heavy casualties—123 men killed and wounded. They went into the fight on the Union left as reserve elements, waiting and watching as other regiments overran the Confederate entrenchment above Fredericksburg, and then were brought into the fierce fight at Salem Church. They were finally forced back across the Rappahanock river at Banks Ford on the night of 4 May 1863. Their failure of success, he wrote his mother, appeared to be leadership. “I’m sorry to say that our leading officers (generals) cannot win laurels of fame and distinction on this so called Grand Army of the Potomac for they have the means & also the men to do it if they only will.” [See also—1863: Jacob W. Strawyick to Andrew Strawyick]

It should be noted that John spelled his surname “Richard” but he was carried on the muster rolls as “Richards.” His headstone in Battleground National Cemetery (stone #40) also bears the name Richards.

[Note: This letter is from the private collection of Bryan A. Cheeseboro and was made available for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by express consent.]

Transcription

Camp near White Oak Church, Virginia
Sunday morning, May 17th 1863

Dear Mother,

It has been some time since I wrote to you. But this morning I seat myself in the attitude of a fellow on the ground floor of my tent, to let you know that we are both in excellent health. The weather here is very warm now. Part of our company is out on picket. Quill nor I did not go as it was not my turn, and I do not go now for I have enough to do in camp.

I have been looking for a letter from home for several nights back. The last we received was one that Martin wrote which I answered.  I have not had one from Lee for near two weeks but still look earnestly every mail for a letter from someone from home. You cannot imagine how bad we feel without getting any letters from home. I lost all my things over on the other side of the river.

Matthew Greer of the 137th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, ate supper with us last night. He is well. They expect to leave for home this week. John Allen—Lizzie Atkinson’s man—has been here several times. William Bickett also. They are all hearty but tired of soldiering. I am not. I never got at anything that I enjoyed so well or rather that enjoyed with my health as the life of a soldier. I do not like the way that some of our leading officers use us and arrange things sometimes, but all in all, I am proud to say I am a soldier of this grand army—the Army of the Potomac.  But [I’m] sorry to say that our leading officers (generals) cannot win laurels of fame and distinction on this so called Grand Army of the Potomac for they have the means & also the men to do it if they only will.

I will put a couple of small cards in this for Allie and Mary. You can see how they are directed for each one. I wrote George a letter yesterday. I want him to answer it. I hear that James Sedgwick is dead. Is it true or not? I received a letter from John McClosky a few days ago. I also received one from his sister in Clarion. She sent me John’s address in a letter that Sue Delo wrote for I asked Sue to get it for me and the next day she got a letter from John stating he was in Pittsburgh. So she sent me his address. It was a very nice, polite, as well as an interesting letter and she appeared to think that I had done a great deal for John for he wrote to her to that effect.  I will close with my love to Father, Mother, Sisters, Brothers, and all inquiring friends. From your Son, — J. M. Richards

Co. H, 139th Regiment
Care of Lieutenant [James J.] Conway ¹

Direct the letters in that way, or if the “H” is made plain, you need not put Conway’s name at all. Write soon. — J. M. Richards

1st Sergeant, Co. H, 139th Regiment Penna. Vols. 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 6th Army Corps, Grand Army of the Potomac

Write soon. Farewell for this time. Goodbye. Kiss Allie for me.

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¹ James J. Conway was promoted from Lieutenant to Captain of Co. H, 139th Pennsylvania on 21 July 1863 shortly after the Battle of Gettysburg where the 139th helped turn back the Confederate assault on Little Round Top. He was later wounded in the Battle of Cold Harbor on 2 June 1864—a severe wound of the thigh which kept him out of action for a time.