The following letter was written by Erskine Herbert Dickey (1841-1910) who served in Co. B, 1st New Jersey Light Artillery. His obituary notice informs us that he was born in Acworth, New Hampshire, but served in the 1st New Jersey Light Artillery during the war, taking part in “14 battles besides many other engagements.” In this letter to his friend, Erskine writes of Lincoln’s reelection, the hanging of Union deserters, and the prospects for war ending soon.

After the war he settled in Brooklyn and became a dentist.

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Winter Quarters [near Petersburg, Va.]
December 23, [1864]

Friend Edward,

I received your letter of November 4th and ought to have answered it before but kept putting it off from time to time until I am almost ashamed to write. I am well and feel first rate, weight more than I ever did before 169 lbs. I never had as good an appetite. The way I can stow away hard tack and salt pork (raw) is a caution to poor folks.

Well, Ed, old Uncle Abe did get a healthy old majority didn’t he? And old Uncle Jeff is getting some pretty hard pills from Thomas & Sherman. And I think the old devil will die before he can digest them. And I think before spring you will either hear of the old gentleman’s death or of his leaving for a safer country.

The deserters from our army are getting just what they deserve. There was three hung last Friday which I see—the gallows stands within 20 rods of our camp. Four of them were from the 5th New Hampshire, two from the 7th New York. There is to be 21 more to be hanged at the same place. There will be three hung every Friday noon until the whole lot is finished and it serves them just right. When I see something worth sending, I will send it to you with pleasure.

Where is Ward now? I sent a letter to Frank sometime ago. This is about all the news. Write soon. From your friend, — E. H. Dickey

Battery B, 1st New Jersey (Artillery Brigade), 2nd Corps, Washington D. C.

December 27th. I was over to the 5th New Hampshire today. I saw Ben Howe. He was well. He received a letter from you last night. He is expecting a commission soon. He is going to write to you soon. Please write the directions you put on a letter that you send to Marden. — E. H. D.