The following letter was written by George Whitefield Dow (1831-1882), the son of Joshua Dow and Miriam Watson of Plaistow, Rockingham county, New Hampshire. He was married first, in September 1850, to Maria Ann Sanborn (1834-1852). He then married Olivia A. Smith of Salisbury, Massachusetts, in May 1853, and in the 1860 US Census, he was enumerated in Salem, Essex county, Massachusetts, working as a Railroad Repairman. The couple had a 6 year-old son named George.

It was on 19 April 1861 that George enlisted as a private in Co. H (“Salem City Guards”), 5th Massachusetts Infantry. He was with the regiment at the Battle of Bull Run on 21 July 1861 where he was taken prisoner. He was confined at Richmond on 23 July 1861 and at New Orleans on 24 September 1861. He was paroled at Washington, North Carolina, on 2 June 1862 and mustered out of the regiment at Boston on 24 June 1862.

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Washington [D. C.]
May 4th 1861

Cousin Cyrus,

Having a few minutes to spare, I thought that I would write you a few lines—the last perhaps that you will ever hear from me. I am enlisted in the 5th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers to fight for my country. We arrived here a week ago today. We had a hard time in getting here. I shot my first man in Maryland 2½ miles below Annapolis Junction. We had quite a brush with the suckers about daylight, but we have drove them to cover the same as we shall Jeff Davis. You can have no idea of a skirmish in woods at daybreak. I felt as though I should s[hi]t at first, but I soon was as crazy as a Bed Bug & on the whole, I rather like to put consute [?] out of the suckers.

Last Thursday night, I was on guard on the Bridge that leads across the Potomac River. I saw a sucker sneaking along & hailed him when he rose up & fired at me, but did not hit me. And in about 2 jerks of a sheep’s tail, I put a plum hole chuck through his heart, & Col. [Samuel Crocker] Lawrence—my colonel—said I was a good boy & that I done just right. But cousin, I suppose my time will come soon. I feel just as though & should never see old Plaistow again. But I have got just as good pluck for all of that & when I do fall, I shall fall at my post. I think that I am on the right side & shall fight just as long as I can draw a bead on a Southerner.

I know that I shall have the sympathy of all my friends & all true Yankees. I would [be] willing [to] face the cannon’s mouth but I can’t help thinking of my poor wife & boy. If I should fall, they will be left to the cold world & it makes my heart ache to think of it some times. But I would not come home now if I could. New England Blood has been spilt on southern soil & it shall be avenged a gallon for every drop. I hate the sight & smell of a southerner. I have got 24 rounds of ball cartridges in my box & I don’t mean to throw a single one away. When I draw a bead on a southerner, he is mighty apt to fall.

I want you show this letter to Luke & Mary & any body else that you are a mind to. Tell George Sumner that there is room for him out here. We want all good shots out here for the sneaking murder[er]s have got to fall.

Give my love to all & if you never see me again, remember that I leave a wife & boy that is very dear to me. I cannot write any more now. I sent a kiss enclosed for cousin Margaret & you will please deliver it immediately. Goodbye, perhaps forever, but I hope not. — George W. Dow

To C. B. Curries, Plaistow, N. H.

P.S. I have got a good revolver & know how to use it. It was given to me in Faneuil Hall by the Eastern R.R. boys.