The following letter was written by Charles L. Thompson (1838-1890), a carpenter from New Bedford, Massachusetts, who volunteered to serve in Co. D, 23rd Massachusetts Infantry. He mustered in as a private on 28 September 1861 and rose in rank to sergeant, quartermaster sergeant, and finally to 2nd Lieutenant, though he was never mustered in as an officer before leaving the service in 1865.

Charles was the son of Amasa T. Thompson (1806-1865) and Betsy Maria Eaton (1811-1851). In 1850, the Thompson family was enumerated as farmers in Plymouth county, Massachusetts.

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

Newbern [North Carolina]
September 24th 1862

Dear Cousin Sarah,

I have neglected writing you longer than I should but there has been nothing to write about and having waited long enough, I concluded to commence and trust luck for items enough to fill the sheet. I have heard nothing from Father for a long time. I wonder what the reason is why he don’t write? Most of my New Bedford [N. B.] correspondents have enlisted in the new regiments so I don’t have as many letters from home as I used to.

The rebels have been making unusual demonstrations lately in our neighborhood. You have probably heard of the attack upon Washington, N. C. about 35 miles from here. Since then our pickets have been driven in several times by bands of rebels, but no further demonstrations have as yet been made. Probably they don’t like the looks of our fortifications. Reconnoitering parties are sent out almost every day but generally they don’t meet with any large bodies of rebels—only a few scattering ones now and then.

I am glad that N. B. has done so well in sending men for the war. I am glad to learn that they are such a “better class of men” than those who went formerly who didn’t have to be paid a bounty to urge them to enlist. Well let them talk. I want to see what they can do when they get into the field. I hope they will be able to prove themselves a great deal better than the old troops, but very much doubt it.

Last week a parting speech was read to us from Gen. Burnside. He has now taken leave of us and given up the Department of North Carolina to Gen. J. G. Foster. If we can’t have Burnside, I had rather fight under Foster than any other general.

We have just received very cheerful news from the Army of the Potomac to the effect that McClellan has driven the Maryland invaders across the Potomac and this p.m. there is a rumor that Richmond is taken by our gunboats. I shall not credit this until I hear a great deal more about it than is now reported. But I must close so as to be able to get this into the mail before it closes.

In haste. Yours truly, — Chas. L. Thompson

Love to Uncle and Aunt.