The following letter was written by Peter Renton Shepard (1839-1863) who enlisted in the US Marines on 2 May 1861 and served aboard the USS Susquehanna. When he enlisted he gave his birthplace as Canterbury, New Hampshire, and his residence as Boscawen. He further stated that he was single and was employed as a farmer. Muster records claim that Peter deserted from the service—which may be true—but cemetery records in Boscawen reveal that he died of “fever” on 25 September 1863 and his headstone informs us that he mustered into Co. E, 16th New Hampshire Vol. Infantry on 7 November 1862.

Peter was the son of John M. Shepard (1804-1874) and his wife Nancy (1807-1889) of Boscawen, New Hampshire.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

U. S. Marine Barracks
Washington, May 5th 1862

Dear Cousin,

Your letter was duly received and I was very happy to hear from you and to learn that Uncle, Aunt and Scott are well. I have been enlisted over a year but time has passed away so rapidly that it seems to be but a few days. I left Boston on the 3rd of last July for Hampton Roads. We arrived there on the 7th and while on our way up the beautiful Chesapeake the main shaft to one of the paddle wheels parted which compelled us to return back as far as Philadelphia to repair damages. There we remained until the 24th of August when we started again for the blockade.

On arriving at at the mouth of the Chesapeake we learned that the expedition which had been fitted up in that place for the purpose of capturing the rebel forts at Hatteras Inlet had left the day previous and left orders for us to join the fleet as soon as possible. All of us were in high spirits then at the prospect of having a brush with the rebels.

They are now flying from our victorious armies in every direction and we have now arrived at a point where we can look through the dark clouds that have surrounded us for the last year and behold in the distance bright visions of future glory for our Government and its institutions. Charles Ship and Jonathan’s son and George and James—Uncle Benjamin’s boys is in the sharpshooters. One of the boys was wounded last week by his side. There is nothing more to write about this time. I will close. Write again soon as convenient.

From your affectionate cousin, — Peter R Shepard