Samuel Hamilton was 20 years old when he enlisted on 28 August 1861 at Readville, Massachusetts, to serve three years in Congress. E, 20th Massachusetts Volunteers. According to muster rolls, he was wounded at Balls Bluff on 21 October 1861 (regimental history says he was captured). The only other entry in his muster rolls states that he deserted from Poolesville, Maryland on 15 January 1862, just five weeks after this letter was penned.

Samuel’s muster rolls do not state his place of residence. The regimental history gives his residence as “Chester, Delaware” which must mean Pennsylvania but I was unable to locate his family and there is no accompanying envelope to aid in further identification.

Transcription

Camp Benton ¹
Poolville, Maryland
December 10, 1861

Dear Brother,

I received your last letter and I am very glad to hear that you are well and the rest of the family. We had a sham battle today and everything passed off without any accidents. I would have wrote to you sooner but I have been waiting for the certificate. Our colonel has gone off but as soon as he returns, I will get it off so as to send it next week.

Everything is very quiet round here. I do not think that our regiment will see any more fighting for there is but a few of us left. We are going to do picket duty this winter down to the river but our headquarters will be at the camp.

The last letter I received from sister, she wrote that she was going to send me some things but I have not received them yet. As soon as we get paid off I will send home every cent I get which will be the first of next moth.

Dear John, please tell Adam Sutton that I would like to hear from him. In my last letter I told you to tell him to write but I believe that you have delayed it for I have not heard from him. Tell sister that I have received but one paper from her yet. Tell her that I would like to have her send me the Ledger every week. Tell her when she writes again to put the direction on the letter very plain. I would like to hear from sister Elizabeth before I write to her.

Dear brother, I soon expect to be put in as a corporal. I am in very good health so far. You do not know how I would like to see you all which I hope will soon be. Give my love to Tommy. Tell him as soon as I get home I will give him a lot of pipes and tobacco. Give my love to father and mother and all the rest of the family. Tell them I would like to hear from them often.

Dear John, I will now close my letter by remaining your affectionate brother, Samuel Hamilton

My address is Samuel Hamilton, Company E, 20th Regt. M. V., Washington D. C.

---

¹ Camp Benton was situated outside Poolesville, Maryland, on the east bank of the Potomac River, barely 35 miles from Washington. The camp was “laid out in a large wheat-field on the slope of a hill, surrounded by a beautiful running stream of clear, cold, water,—a healthy and lovely situation.” The regiment remained there for nearly six months.