The following letter was written by Sgt. Richard “Fletcher” Taft (1840-1862) while serving in Co. G, 8th Maine Infantry. Fletcher enlisted at Gouldsboro, Hancock county, Maine, on 7 September 1861 and penned this letter shortly after boarding the steamboat Daniel Webster that would take the regiment from Annapolis to “somewhere south of here but don’t know how far but we shall know when we get there and that is soon enough.” Though he did not yet know it, the regiment was to take part in the Port Royal Expedition. Regrettably, it would be his last ocean transport. He died of typhoid fever on Daufuskie Island on 30 March 1862. He lies buried in a soldier’s grave at the Beaufort National Cemetery, marker 1605.

Fletcher wrote this letter to his parents, Ephraim Wales Taft (1795-1873) and Maria B. Cobb (1813-1885).

For Spared & Shared followers interested in reading more great letters by members of the 8th Maine Infantry, check out those written by Augustus Alonzo Hoit who served as an officer in the same company as Fletcher and was also from Gouldsboro. See: The Smoke of my Rifle transcribed and published by Spared & Shared in 2015.

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

Annapolis [Maryland]
October 19th 1861

Dear Mother,

I thought I would write you a few lines to let you know that we are on board a steamboat and will probably sail south in a day or two. We had orders yesterday noon to pack our knapsacks and be ready to march at a minute’s warning. We marched on down to the Navy Yard and went on board a boat which carried us on board this ship and suppose we shall be landed somewhere south of here but don’t know how far but we shall know when we get there and that is soon enough. I can’t write much now for I am Sergeant of the Guard today and I am on deck and it almost rains so must be short but thought I would write a word or two to let you know where I was for you may not get another letter from me for some time but will write again the first chance.

I got a letter from Maria last night. Was glad to hear you were all well. Maria wrote that some of our company complain of not getting enough to eat. I don’t think I have lost much flesh and as long as I can hold my own, will not say a word. I ain’t afraid of starving. I received a letter from Nat Tyler the other day [but] have not had time to answer it yet. George is well and gets along well. You wrote he said he was coming home but guess he will hardly get there this winter.

I must now close this as I have not time to write more. Give love to all and keep a large share for yourself. From your son, — Fletcher

When you write, direct to Washington and I shall get them from there if anywhere.