Subj: Civil War Letter from Will Harrison
Date: 10/10/99 1:39:42 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: CPI NYC
To: CPI NYC

We have the pleasure of Diane, Anniska and Alex's company for last night and today in Greenwood Lake as they take a break from their trip home to NH.

Diane and I sat down and transcribed the civil war letters from Will Harrison - and also a letter from 1832 - John Creed Harrison writing from America to his wife and family in London. Then a letter dated 1864 from Alfred Creed Harrision requesting information about the property of Thomas Harrison. Alfred Creed was John Creed Harrison's son.

The second civil war letter is even more interesting than this as it is written shortly after the surrender at Appomattox. That comes in a subsequent email.

(letterhead - embossed)
The U.S. Christian Commission
sends this as the soldier's messenger to his home.
Let it hasten to those who wait for tidings.

"Fight the good fight of Faith."

Camp near Hatcher's Run, Va
January 16 /65
Dear Sister,

I received yours of the 10th last night. This afternoon while preparing to write you an orderly dashed up with orders to pack up and get under arms immediately.

Whew - what is up now; is the general cry. But under arms we got in a hurry. Then came the news - the 3d Division picket had been attacked and we were held in readiness in case there was a general scrimmage. But we have not left camp, everything is quiet to night. And I presume the picket was more frightened than hurt.

I was on the picket line a few days since - not a rebel in sight - when suddenly I heard a few shots - a rushing noise in the woods and a raw recruit came dashing out and crying - Lieut - Lieut - the rebs

Upon investigating I learned that some hogs had strayed out to the Vidette line and were fired upon by the picket. When they dashed through the wood scaring the poor recruit out of a years growth.

Well, I am all right to night in my log hut - dash Cap. Henry is before the fire smoking his brier pipe and Lieut. Curtis is laying on the bed and has remarked - "So Skid your sister lives in Nyack. Perhaps she knows my mother Mrs. Sweet - inquire if you please". And so I will. Do you know Mrs. Sweet; if so let me know of the old lady.

And so Fran found the ice treacherous; I think she must have shook things up generally for she is a lump of a girl. I wish I had been with you.

I begin to fear I won't get home this winter. There has been an order issued granting leaves to those who have near relatives dangerously sick etc. All of a sudden nearly all the Corps has some sick relatives - aged father and mother or some urgent business that requires their presence. Now I can't tell a deliberate lie - even to get home and if I had a leave in my pocket I could not get there for I have not the means. They had better put up a few more printing machines that they may turn out greenbacks faster-for we are all broke.

Now about the box. You had better not send it. Heretofore the boxes of all enlisted men have been searched but officers came through unopened. Now they search all. Their object they say is - to take the intoxicating liquors they may find.

That would be well enough if they would stop there but they take whatever they fancy. My tentmate Cap. Henry had a box sent him - great pains had been taken to please him - and all the box contained when he received it was a ham and a cake and the place of the abstracted articles filled up with pieces of wood. For this we can get no redress.

And I will get along very well without it - thanks all the same for your kind consideration; but I don't want things that generous hearts and willing hands has made for me to be pawed over by the vulgar and heartless.

My health continues good but I am terribly home sick. Well, well it is possible that I may get home before the spring campaign opens. I would like very much to see my friends again before the bloody work begins. Hope on - hope ever.

My kind regards to Mr. and Mrs. Austin and family- and love to my dear sister.

Will