The following letter was written by Edwin Collins Gaskill (1844-1889) of Mendon, Massachusetts, who enlisted in October 1861 at age 18 to serve in Co. B, 25th Massachusetts infantry. After he re-enlisted in January 1864, he was discharged in February 1864 to accept a commission as 2nd Lt. in Co. C, 36th USCT. Edwin served in the same regiment as his older brother Leonard Taft Gaskill (1843-1928). He was severely wounded in the Battle of Chaffin’s farm in Virginia on 29 September 1864 and lost his left arm. A report on the battle claims that, “First Lieut. Edwin C. Gaskill, Thirty-sixth U.S. Colored Troops, rushed in front of his regiment, and, waving his sword, called on the men to follow. At this moment he was shot through the arm, within twenty yards of the enemy’s works.”

Edwin was the son of Micajah Collins Gaskill (1816-1894) and Hannah Mariah Taft (1824-1844).

Transcription

Co. B, 25th Regt. Massachusetts Vol.
Camp Hicks, Annapolis, [Maryland]
December 23rd 1861

Cousin Julia,

It being a wet day, and I not having much to do, I thought I would answer your letter. We were very glad to hear from you, as we always are to hear from home. I suppose you have received Leonard’s letter before now if it has gone through right, but there is considerable many letters that get miscarried.

Last week we had two grand reviews of all the troops in Annapolis. On Thursday we was reviewed by Gen. Foster. It was a splendid sight to see about twelve thousand troops all in one field passing in review—eleven regiments of infantry and one cavalry. I wish you. could have been here to seen it. There was considerable many young ladies as well as some of the men in this place do not think much of the soldiers. The yellow girls think the most about a soldier out here and there is a plenty of them here. you see out here a nice double team with two or three nice looking young ladies dressed in tip top style, with an old looking and ragged negro for a waiter. I think the northern ladies would not like that style very well.

There is one of the Lieutenants of the 21st Massachusetts Regiment is waiting upon Gov. Hicks’ daughter of Maryland. She is a good looking girl.

On Friday we was reviewed by Gen. Burnsides. We expect to be reviewed by Gen. McClellan before we leave here. We do not know when we shall leave here. Some think we shall get away next week and some think we shall stay here a month yet. But I heard that our Colonel said we were liable to start amost any day. But I think we shall not get away in a fortnight certain judging by the time it took the other expeditions to get started. There is about a dozen transports down in the harbor ready for us now. We do not know where we are going when we leave here, and probably shall not until we get there. But then there is a great many ideas in regard to where we are agoing. Some think we shall go up the Potomac; others think we shall go down to Charleston, S. C. and so on.

I suppose you are going to school now to Mr. George. I was very much surprised to hear e was agoing to teach the school. I should not think there would be hardly room enough in the old school house for him to walk around conveniently. I suppose he makes them tread right up to the mark as they did Davis and myself. I saw Mr. Comings several times while we were at Worcester. He would have hardly known me if I had not spoken to him first. I must now close. Give my love to all. Please write soon. From your cousin, — Edwin