Item No. 3211363

An interesting March 1862 letter from Private Richard B. Blodgett of Company G, 1st United States Sharpshooters, to his father. The 8-page letter is written upon custom regimental stationery for the 1st Sharpshooters. Blodgett wrote about his concern for his brother, George, having joined the 8th United States Infantry, suggesting George isn’t prepared for the hardships to come. Mentioned are several other men from the regiment, including Lieutenant Charles Shepard and Corporal Hiram Richardson. Friends named Crooker in the 6th US Cavalry received a visit from Blodgett, and several other acquaintances are mentioned. Blodgett was captured June 27 at Gaines’s Mill and died of disease in a Richmond prison camp two weeks later. The letter reads:

March 4th 1862

Dear Parents
Again I take pen in hand to let you know I am still alive and well and enjoying myself as well as a soldier can. I am real sorry you let George enlist in the regulars. That Lieutenant you spoke of never will do anything for him as he told you he would so I have no doubt that the Lieut is a very fine appearing man and his promises are exceedingly fair but at heart is a miserable tyrant. You don’t believe me neither does George but if he don’t find out to his sorrow I am no soldier. I was over to the sixth cavalry last sunday and saw the Crooker boys. They were well and we had a good time. I was with them all day and while coming through the city after dark the patrol nabbed me as I was walking carelessly down 4th street, but as they turned around the corner and came on to 5th street I held back and when they had all passed by but one man I turned to right and run in the direction of this camp. The patrol yelled out for me to halt but I could not see it just then. I knew they would not fire on me for fear of injuring someone else and I got into camp just as the roll was called at 8 1/2 o’clock. Ask [1st Lieutenant] Charlie Shepard if it is a very easy thing to dodge the patrol and get in with our lives with out being caught and see what he tells you. The way the patrol caught me was they were standing still just beyond where the lamp was burning and as I passed under the light they saw me and I could not see them and came on to them before I was aware of it. The patrol was coming——I tell you but they did not carry me off to the lock up after all. What think you of John Tyler. He is a real good hearted fellow. I intend to send home $40.00 by Corporal [Hiram N.] Richardson if nothing turns up. He is going to Evansville and so said.

But if John is not superior in military talents I would disown him for a Brother. I must say that a man who has been on this ground 6 months and at the same time claiming to be a military man don’t know the difference between the right and left flank maybe a consummate fool or a natural born retard. And George is a going to fort Hamilton to drill. Well good luck to him but he will be a sorry boy. Oh I tell you he will. There is the wrong place to enlist this I know.

I received a letter from Delia Crooker a week ago today. She told me to be sure and remember her to all of you. She spoke about John and said he lisped when he talked. So did he when he was younger. As for George and myself we’re always running races and our hats were always in our hand. I get good log letters from Delia. The last one was a hat or a fools cap proper filled full. These are what I call friendly letters don’t you. Oren Viele and Edward Bean is in here now. I ——— the repository and Ed. The letters I received from W. Johnson and T. Slsoh which I will answer as soon as I can. These boots Dickinson made for me I guess never will wear out. Last pay day I got them taped and they are as good as new now. When I get home I will treat the old fellow and have him make another pair. The Union Boys are all well. Sheldon Cramer is on guard today. Be sure and tell George what I think of his enlisting in the Regulars. Where is Loren Blodgett. If I knew where he was I would write to him. This morning’s report states Fort Donelson is taken.

Hurrah for the Stars and Stripes

The stationery measures about 5” x 8” and is in good condition with spotty toning, foxing, and soiling. There are also a couple of small holes. Includes original cover with “Union For Ever” patriotic decoration.