Ten Virgina Field Written Letters - February 14, 1864 through April 29, 1865

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Union soldier's letter group written by Theodore A. Plimpton who enlisted on 12/29/1863 as a Private and on 1/2/1864 he mustered into MA 11th Light Artillery. He was Mustered Out on 6/16/1865 at Camp Meigs, Readville, MA.All the letters are pencil, signed "Theodore", 8 of the 10 retain the original cover. In brief; #1. Camp Barry, Washington DC, February 14, 1864, 3pp.. In part, "Yesterday I helped make an oven in the side of a hill ... Found no trouble carrying my knapsack .. We had a beautiful trip on the sound ... had a good view of New York ..., plus#2 Camp Barry, Washington DC, 3p March 1864, 3pp.. In part, "I have been on guard .. have not received our guns yet. .. We have lost one man from Chronic diarrhea." ... plus,#3. Camp Barry, Washington DC, April 24, 1864, 3pp.. Plimpton advises of meeting other Massachusetts regiments with soldiers he knew. "General Burnsides was out here today to review us." .. We had two days of dust storms. ... " plus, #4. Before Petersburg, Aug. 10, 1864, in part, "Genl Burnside was on hand the day of the battle. ... At the time the fort blew up, a rebel landed in our lines with nothing on but a shirt. He could not tell where he was, what regiment he belonged to, he could not speak for a full half hour. We did not move from our position, but fired for about three hours steady and then they charged ... They are now putting a battle line .. and last night commenced front of our battery ..."... plus, #5. Near Petersburgh Aug 16, 1864, 2pp., In part, "Grant is extending the line to make the rebs do likewise and then we can break through and split their army .. they have also got Fort Darling most undermined. ... We are in position where we cannot see the rebs unless we go to the front lines and there you will see the pickets talking with each other. .." plus, #6. Poplar Grove Church, Public House, Before Petersburg, Oct 24, 1864, 2pp. In part, :We are still under Potter .. we have a full battery. We have lost some men .. it falls harder upon every man ..." .. plus,#7. Before Petersburg, Dec 15th (64), 3pp. In part, "We get along as well as can be expected considering the Lieut we have to deal with ... orders came to send us to the front. He went out to the front and stayed three days; he then told the Captain that everything was going to rack and ruin at the rear, and that he should resign if kept to the front. I should not be surprised to hear that he has been dismissed for Cowardice ..." .. plus,#8. Before Petersburg April 2, 1865, 4pp., In part, "We were aroused by heavy shelling the whole length of the lines. The gunboats kept up a continual firing ... There has been continual fighting upon our left for the last three days ... Such cannonading I never before have witnessed. The ninth Corps has captured five forts. ... Sheridan and the fifth captured Burkesville ... with four or five thousand prisoners. We captured these forts (Plimpton provides a 3" square diagram). .. The rebel works captured, and closing upon them Grant intends capturing Lee and his forces. .., We lost Gen Potter this morning in the charge. ...." .. plus,#9. Before Petersburg, April 2, 1865, 1pp., In part, "No one was wounded in the Fight".#10.Alexander Va., April 29, 1865, 3pp., In part, "We arrived in Alexander yesterday ... saw the famous Union Gun, the large fort at Rip Raps and three Monitors. ... This morning we got an official dispatch of the surrender of Johnston. ... I heard yesterday that Booth and his accomplice had been caught, a great pity he could not have been take alive. .."

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