Despite the 9th New Hampshire Regiment stationery, this letter was written by George Pliney Risdon (1844-1871) of Co. H, 10th Vermont Infantry. George was the son of Alvah C. Risdon (1798-1877) and Diana Buxton (1800-1865) of Danby, Rutland, Vermont. George enlisted in the regiment on 1 September 1862 and was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps on 1 October 1864. He mustered out of the service on 4 July 1865.

George was married on 6 April 1871 to Adelaide E. Johnson (1847-1916) and died later that same year on 26 November in Manchester, Bennington county, Vermont.

Transcription

Camp near Seneca Creek
Montgomery county, Maryland
October 27, 1862

Dear Father & Mother,

I now seat myself once more to write in answer to your letter which I received the 23rd and was glad to hear that you are all well. It is evening now and I am in our tent. George A. has just come in with a big Johnny cake that he has just made and is now eating it. It is first rate. George is well and so is myself. I was on guard yesterday and last night and it rained all the time like suds. I had a gay old time, don’t you think I did. The money and those stamps came through all right and I was very glad to see them both. I have not much news to write. What war news there is, you get first.

We shall know where we are a going to stay through the winter and then George A. and I will want you and his folks to send a box. You can put the things in one and the same box. Croff is a going to send for a box but I don’t want any of my things to come with his. I would like that cap to sleep in tonight.

Dan Woods thinks he will get his discharge and come home soon. He is as well as usual. He fell and hurt him[self] at Brattleboro [Vermont] and will get his discharge on that account. This war will probably be finished up so that we can come home next summer some time.

Tell Mother I wish she would make me a pair of mittens with one finger in this style—one finger and thumb so that I can handle my gun. I worked hard on the old thing today to get it clean and bright again. I could not keep it dry last night. I have put on my drawers today. They are somewhat warmer. You will make me some, a pair of grey shirts, woolen with pockets in the side, and good, long flaps for winter.

I can’t think of much more to write. Write soon. Do not send anything till I send after them. No more. You must excise this short letter for it is very cold. So goodbye. This from your ever grateful son, — George P. Risdon

I will [send] some of my old letters home. They are too heavy to carry. Be sure and save them for me for I shall want them when I get home to read—George P. Risdon, now in the 10th Regt. Vermont Vols. Company H on the left wing of the battalion.