The following letter was written by John Smith, the son of John Gardner Smith (1797-Aft1860) and Nancy B. Case (1801-1880) of Norwich, New London, Connecticut. John wrote the letter to his sister, Rebecca Ann (Smith) Morrarty (1838-1937) who married John Mikel Morrarty, Jr. (1831-1903) in 1854.

John Smith enlisted on 5 September 1861 and mustered as a Corporal in Company D, 8th Connecticut Infantry on 21 September. He was slightly wounded in the head in action at Antietam on 17 September 1862. He was reduced to Private, date not given, and mustered out at the end of his term of enlistment on 20 September 1864.

Serving with John in the same company was his brother-in-law, John M. Morrarty. He was away from the regiment for a time due to illness and was later transferred to the veteran reserve corps. He reenlisted on 6 Mar 1865 as a private, Co B, 2nd Regt, US Volunteers for another year.

See also—1861: John Mikel Morrarty to Rebecca Ann (Smith) Morrarty on Spared & Shared 22.

Transcription

Moorehead City, N. C.
April 20, 1862

My Dear Sister,

Last night I received your kind letter & I am very glad to hear that Mother arrived safe home. We are well—that is, John M[orrarty] & I—for a great many are sick & several are dead in our regiment. You know that I wrote in one of my letters that the 8th Regt. had been sent ahead of all the rest of the Division to take undisturbed possession of Moorehead City which we did—the regiment split to pieces. Co. E was sent to Beaufort, Co. I & F were sent to Carolina City. Co. D & K are now in Moorehead City, & Co. G. B, H. C. & A are over across the Sound on the same island that Fort Macon is on. The last five companies have a skirmish with the Rebels every day & drive them into the fort. Capt. Sheffield of Co. H is mortally wounded—the ball striking him in the pit of his stomach and coming out of his backbone. A private in the same company was wounded in the hip.

We have just completed a fine breastwork and mounted 6 mortars in position under the fire of the heavy guns of the fort. Col. Edward Harland is sick and the Major is in command of the five companies on the island.

Capt. J. Edward Ward is in command of this post in Moorehead City. The Lieut. Col. resigned & the Major, I suppose, will be promoted to Lt. Col. & Capt. War will be promoted to Major. He is as brave, noble, & efficient officer & is well worthy of his office.

If you will send me 1 dollar’s worth of postage stamps, I will be much obliged to you. I have told you a lie. I told you that I was well but I have got the neuralgia in face. Tell Mother to excuse me this time & I will write next mail. I have no postage stamps. Be sure and send them.

Your poetry was read and reread and placed on file until next week. Corporal H. N. Livermore, Co. D, died of typhoid fever & E. J. Comstock, C. D, of the same. They were both from Lebanon & Deacon McCull knew them both. I will now draw my letter to a close so goodbye from your affectionate brother, — John Smith

Co. D, 8th Regt. Conn., Coast Division, Burnside’s Expedition

To Mrs. Rebecca A. Morrarty, Norwich, Connecticut