Encampment of the A company, XXXI Penn. Vols. February the 28th 1862
Dear Lis,
As you know, I received my commission as a lieutenant in the new regiment that is being raised in Central Pennsylvania, the XXXI Pennsylvania Volunteers. I have started my camp life and I can proudly say that I don’t miss the commodities that can be found in a city like our beloved Philadelphia. The joy to serve our country and to fight for the freedom of all the people on earth fills all my needs…Well, except not having you with me.
Every day new recruits are arriving to full fit our ranks and in few days we will be marching to the front. We have settled a small encampment for our company: A company XXXI Penn. Vols. There are people from all over the state. From Philadelphia lawyers like the captain to students from the Pennsylvania State University with the main lot being farmers from Bellefonte, Boalsburg, Scranton or Port Matilda.
I think that this war is not going so well for the Union. Maybe the government will use our regiment in a new offensive or perhaps in a raid in enemy territory. What is for sure is that they won’t use us in guard duty or frontier watch.
Hopefully, we are fighting in the side of the liberty and the truth so God is with us.
Every day I pray for you and our two daughters.
Your husband who deeply loves you
Joseph Waterwell.
Dear Lis,
As you know, I received my commission as a lieutenant in the new regiment that is being raised in Central Pennsylvania, the XXXI Pennsylvania Volunteers. I have started my camp life and I can proudly say that I don’t miss the commodities that can be found in a city like our beloved Philadelphia. The joy to serve our country and to fight for the freedom of all the people on earth fills all my needs…Well, except not having you with me.
Every day new recruits are arriving to full fit our ranks and in few days we will be marching to the front. We have settled a small encampment for our company: A company XXXI Penn. Vols. There are people from all over the state. From Philadelphia lawyers like the captain to students from the Pennsylvania State University with the main lot being farmers from Bellefonte, Boalsburg, Scranton or Port Matilda.
I think that this war is not going so well for the Union. Maybe the government will use our regiment in a new offensive or perhaps in a raid in enemy territory. What is for sure is that they won’t use us in guard duty or frontier watch.
Hopefully, we are fighting in the side of the liberty and the truth so God is with us.
Every day I pray for you and our two daughters.
Your husband who deeply loves you
Joseph Waterwell.
