This letter was written by James M. Williams (1844-1922) of Franklin, Delaware county, New York, while serving in Co. E, 109th New York Infantry. He wrote the letter to the woman he would marry in 1867, Miss Ruth L. Bradley (1842-1917). William enlisted in August 1862 and served three years, mustering out in June 1865.

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

Camp near Petersburg, Va.
January 19th 1865

My dear friend,

I have not had a letter from you in long time—not since I left the hospital. I have written twice I think since I came to the regiment. I hope I shall get one tonight. If I do not, I shall think I am not going to get any more. At any rate, I will write one and see if that won’t bring one.

I am headquarters guard today and won’t have time to write a very long letter and of course not a good one for I am in so great a hurry. The report is that Wilmington is ours. Gen. Burnside had command of the land forces and gained a great victory. Seven thousand rebs came into our lines last night. They are getting sadly demoralized. Quite a number escape to our lines every night. I don’t care how fast they come. Everyone that comes over makes one the less to fight. I hope this war will end this winter and I think it will. I think the rebellion states will come back into the Union as they went out. North Carolina is now taking steps to return at the earliest moment. They have already called a committee to arrange terms of peace. I hope they will succeed.

I wrote to your Pa yesterday and it may be you will get his letter and this at the same time. I had my fortune told a few days ago. Perhaps you do not believe in such things but I think you would if you was to hear your past life read as I did. I was told of many things that happened before I enlisted that I know no one ever knew but myself and that makes me believe something in fortune telling. He also told me of many things that would happen in course of my life, some of which I must confess I was foolish enough to believe and I had no reason to disbelieve for he told my past life and doings so correct that I am sure he told me of things that will happen in the future. But no more of this or you will think I am growing foolish which would not be far out of the way.

Excuse this poor letter and believe me to be your true & ever faithful friend. — James M. Williams

[to] R. L. B.