 Union Soldier on picket guard (Harper's Weekly, 2/14/1863) | The Civil War Letters of Forrest Little |
Nov 10th 1861 Dear Parents I now take the pleasant opportunity to write a few lines to you to let you know that I am well and I hope to find you the same I received your letter dated the 4inst it seems as though that I dident hear from home half enough do try and write oftener it is sunday here to day and it is just as quiet as you please it is just as warm and pleasant I came in from picket guard we had rather a tough time of it yesterday and last night it rained like perfect furies in the day and cleared of at night and it was colder than Greenland by george I like to froze to death I see that rebel Colonel that we heard so much about the one that rides the White horse I drawed up the old gun and fired I see him drop and supposed I had killed him but to my great astonishment he was up and off like a flash of lightning there has a great many of our men shot at him but never could hit him when we fire he drops right of over the side of the horse when the gun goes of he gets up and rides like the old hary for the woods we Cant kill him any way you wanted to know what kind of a Uniform we have the pants are a light blue the coat is a deep blue the overcoat is like that Charles hale wore home the hat is one of these high Crowned hats turned up on one side and fastened with a brass eagle about 6 inches long on front they are the humblest hats I ever saw I wont wear mine any way only on dress parade and Brigade drill I have got one of these Zoave caps that I wear the other day the Colonel rode up to our captain and said he wanted a man that was quick and prompt to be 1st Marker of the Regiment the Captain picked me out so I am the marker now it is hard business I tell you I am the one that the battallion dresses by when they come into line of battle or when we are marching by the flank but I cant write any more this time I have got to get ready for knapsack inspection and inspection of arms so Good by for this time from your affectionate son
Forrest Direct your letters to Washington DC Company F 5th Regt VT Volonteers Camp Griffin in care Capt E S Stowell -- Next Letter: November 23, 1861
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