13th New Hampshire Infantry | Spared & Shared 23

*I could not find an image of Amaziah but here is one of George H. Bannister of Co. H, 13th New Hampshire Infantry (Ancestry)*

The following letter was written by Amaziah Joshua Foss (1839-1863), the son of Woodbury Marden Foss (1804-1869) and Eliza Foss (1811-1887) of Strafford, New Hampshire. Amaziah and his younger brother Lemuel Perkins Foss (1841-1871) both served in Co. F, 13th New Hampshire Infantry during the Civil War.

Amaziah enlisted in August 1862 and was mustered into the regiment on 19 September 1862. He wrote this letter a few weeks later while at Aquia Creek, Virginia, less than a week before the Battle of Fredericksburg. He survived the attack on Marye’s Heights at Fredericksburg but a few months later he received a severe wound in the right leg while fighting at Providence Church Road (Suffolk) on 3 May 1863. His wound required amputation of the limb and he died from loss of blood on 7 May.

Transcription

*This enveloped was addressed to Edwin F. Foss, Strafford, Strafford county, New Hampshire*. *Edwin was a younger brother.*

Camp near Aquia Creek, Virginia
December 8th 1862

Father,

I take my pencil in hand to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well and so is Lemuel. I suppose that you have been wondering why I have not written before but we have been on a march [since] last Monday. We are brought up for a support, so I heard. I suppose that there is agoing to [be an] advance on Fredericksburg as soon as they can get ready.

We had a good time to march until Friday when it began to snow and rain which made it muddy. Some of the boys went off and got a pig and brought into camp Friday night.

You want me to tell you if I got the money and postage stamps, I got them both but the box we did not get and I suppose we shall not get it at all now but still we may. They say that we are in camp where there was a Rebel cavalry encamped last winter but they have all gone now.

There is five brigades in camp here now I believe. The sick we left at Camp Casey but some of the them has gone to New York and three of them has come on after us and the rest is in the hospital—all there to Camp Casey.

I can’t stop to write anymore now so good[bye for] now. From your son, — A. J.

Direct your letters as before.

*Robert Richard Thompson wearing his officer’s uniform later in the war.*

The following letter was written by Sgt. Robert Richard Thompson (1823-1864) who enlisted on 16 August 1862 in Co, H, 13th New Hampshire Infantry. A month later he was promoted to 1st Sergeant. On 1 June 1863, Robert was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant of Co. D and 13 months later promoted to 1st Lieutenant. Sadly, though he was “full in the faith all will come out right yet,” he was killed in the fight at Chapin’s Bluff, Virginia, on 29 September 1864.

Robert wrote the letter to his wife, Annie Lucia Baldwin whom he married in 1859. They had two girls prior to Robert’s enlistment.

Transcription

*Addressed to Mrs. R. R. Thompson, Coos, Coos County, New Hampshire*

Washington D. C.
October 9th 1862

My Dear Wife,

We arrived here last evening & a hard journey we had of it. We left Concord last Monday morning about half past 5 o’clock. The regiment were entertained by the citizens of Nashua & a very fine entertainment it was too. The Colonel, Lieut. Colonel, one company and one officer of our company & the Adjutant of the regiment are in it so you see the Nashua people are much interested in the regiment.

At 1 o’clock p.m., we started for Norwalk to take the boat for Jersey City, thence to Washington direct by cars. We remained in Baltimore from 6 o’clock a.m till 11 o’clock a.m. We were from that time till 9 in the evening traveling 40 miles. I do not know the cause of delay. We had to lie on the soft side of a board last night. Today I learn we leave to report to Gen. Casey and to camp on Munson Hill on the south side of the Potomac. I believe we shall be near the 17th Maine. I will write more in detail after we are settled. I have not been in the city.

How much I have thought of you on my way here. How lonesome you must be! But my dear wife, do not mourn my absence too much. I am very well & contented.

Does darling Jennie enquire why Papa does not come to bed now? It makes my heart ache to think it is necessary to be separated from you, but believe me, I am full in the faith all will come out right yet.

Troops are coming in at a great rate. I must close now for I must prepare to leave. From your most affectionate husband, — Robert

Do not write me till I send you direction.