1863 January 8 across the Rappannock from Fredericburg

Camp of the Fifth Maine Regiment Near the Rapahanock River  Va Jan 8/63


Dear Mother---As I have written most of the letters to Father I thought
I would set down & pen you A few lines to let you Know that I am well & hope
these few lines will find you he same last night the Colonel had the Regiment
formed & came out & Told the Men that he had sent in his resignation on account
of business at Home calling him there & he made quite A speech Thanking
the Regiment for their good conduct whilst he had the command of it & prayed
that they would continue to Keep the good name that they had received from
the Genls of the Brigade & Division & that they would do well under the one
that took his place & wanted the men to come to his tent before he went as he
wanted to take each and every one by the hand Colonel Scammon was A man
that looked after the welfare of the Regiment but he was not much of A Military
man, but I can assure you that the Regiment is sorry to have him go, I will now
close these few lines by saying that they will find you in good health give my
love to Father & all that enquire about me & just remember that I shall
continue to that duty that I enlisted for n o matter who is in command
of the Army & if nothing happens before the term of service expires I
can come home with the proud thought that I done my duty
From you affectionate Son Joseph Leavitt
P.S. Tell Unkle Shaw that I have not Seen Daniel but I suppose the Reason is
that he is out most of the time conoitering as the first is considered one of the best
in the service & I guess that is the way in all of the Maine Regiments. Mr Joseph
Leavitt Co. G., Fifth Maine Vols General Bartletts Brigade Washington D.C.


Letters of Joseph Leavitt of the 5th Maine and his brother George of the 5th New York were copied in a ledger by their father in the fall of 1865 as a remembrance of his boys both of whom died in the war, George at 2nd Bull Run and Joseph at Spotsylvania

MSS 66