The following letter was written by William Henry Rinehart of Co. I, 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry. At age 20, he enlisted in the company on 26 September 1861 as a private and mustered out of the regiment on 17 June 1865 as a sergeant. He was described as standing 5′ 6″ tall, with brown hair, hazel eyes, and the dark complexion of a farmer. He was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, probably the son of Joshua Rinehart (1813-1899) and Amelia Sheppard Dare (1809-1891) of East Coventry.

After the war he married and moved to Leavenworth, Kansas, where he became an agent for a company making lightning rods. He married the daughter of an Irish emigrant named Fanny (1843-Bef1900) who died prior to 1900 when he was enumerated in a home for disabled veterans.

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

Near Hampton, Virginia
April 21st 1862

Esteemed Friend,

You must excuse the delay which has occurred since I received your letter. Joe, we are now down at Fortress Monroe. We left Camp Barclay on the 30th of March and went to Alexandria. There we camped for three or four days. On the 3rd of April we embarked on a large schooner called the Maryland for which we sailed for Fortress Monroe. After sailing six days we reached that place.

Joe, we had some great times on board of the schooner. One night it stormed so hard that we had to anchor that night and the next day. It was quite amusing to see the boys get seasick. Joe, we camped at Hampton village for four or five days, which is now in ruins. It was burnt down by the rebels last August. It must have been a fine place from all appearance. We are now camped about three miles from Hampton on the road to Yorktown. We are about twenty miles from there.

Joe, we have a splendid drill ground here [of] about forty acres. It is as level as a floor. Joe, they are drilling us pretty sharp now. Today we had to take our horses to pasture about four miles. It was along the James River. I took my horse in the river. He made some ugly jumps when the waves use to come up to him. Joe, my horse can beat any horse in Company I running. Joe, we just had a hell of a rain. The water run through the tent [such] that I thought the banks of the James river had broken. Joe, you must excuse me for writing so bad as I am all wet and the paper is the same.

Joe, I am determined to finish this letter if it rains pitch forks and the prongs downwards. I am well. There is no danger of anyone getting sick for we very frequently get a shower bath and that takes all sickness away. Joe, the weather is very warm. The trees are all out in blossom. There is any quantity of peach trees down here. I hope we will stay here till they get ripe. Joe, I expect you will soon be taking yourself a wife for now is your time I advise you to put that thing through. I want you to take care of the Ladies. Offer your assistance when it is needed. Don’t let them stay home when they want to go.

Joe, I am getting grey-headed so you need not wait for me. Joe, I received a letter from a lady friend of mine from Philadelphia. I wish you could see it for it would make you feel very funny. I would tell you her name but it would not do for fear persons would talk about it. Joe, I want you to tell me all the news in the neighborhood when you write. Write soon. Farewell. From your friend, — W. H. Rinehart

Direct your letter as you always did.