Civil War Letter Lt Joseph E Kimball 1st Mass Vols Battle Peninsula July 1862 for Sale

On eBay Now...

Civil War Letter Lt Joseph E Kimball 1st Mass Vols Battle Peninsula July 1862 For Sale

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Civil War Letter Lt Joseph E Kimball 1st Mass Vols Battle Peninsula July 1862:
$250.00

Condition as seen.
1st Reg’t. Mass. Vol.Camp Lincoln, July 11, 1862
My Dear Parents,
I presume you are again anxious to hear from me so I will proceed to relieve your anxiety. Just now I am about recovered from a light attack of camp fever, which disabled me for present service a week ago. When the Dr. called on me the second day after I was taken down, I told him they warrant swamps enough in Virginia to give me a fever. With the aid of his drugs, I have proved my words. My sickness is now quite gone, leaving me only a little weak. As I have no duty to do, and as we are delightfully camped in a Grove of trees with plenty of nice water near, I shall no doubt be as strong as ever in a few days. We shall probably remain here a month or more. Some think our division, which is sadly cut up, will be kept here during the remainder of of the war. This place will be held by somebody as it is intended as a military post of importance, fortifications are being reared along the whole line.I fear you are despondent over the situation of the country. If so, I think you do wrong to indulge in any feeling of despondency. Not withstand the blunders of the government, the national prospects look brighter today than they have since the commencement of the war. Only let the country respond to call for troops with proper spirit, and I tell you, father, before Thanksgiving next, we will whip the rebels to the golf. We will humble the insolence of foreign powers, and ere the snow of early winter we will rejoice together under the peaceful fold of the banner of our United country. Let the young men who have so long held back come immediately forward. Those who refuse let the women and children brand with the name of coward and poltroon. I do not doubt that Massachusetts will send immediately her number or the other states their’s. A few more weeks and the suspense will be ended; a few more months and the end will be gained. Let us all have courage then and await the issue.The army of the Potomac have noble shown their mettle in the late engagements. I will not go over the different engagements. We are on every instance. It showed its superiority over the overwhelming masses of the South. Its whole career has indeed been glorious. There are indeed many morning hearts throughout New England, there are thousands more in sunny South. The Rebels are torn, shattered, and broken, so much so that they are unable to keep up the attack. Our own army, though with heavy losses, still comes out undaunted and with stronger confidence and their ability to cope with superior odds of the Rebels.Our reg’t. lost during the retreat, as reported at headquarters, 96 men. We now number for duty less than 200; many however, are sick will soon be well. The spirit of the reg’t. is as usual.I hope, father, that you will take matters as comfortable as possible throughout the struggle. Right and tell me all about your crops, etc. Give my love to all of the folks. I have written to have John to send me a box of his home delicacies. If I receive that promptly, I shall write again to have a couple of shirts made and also forwarded with some of mother‘s good things. I know mother will keep up a Braveheart through all. As I ain’t shot yet, the chances are that I can’t be for sometime to come. So mother and I will keep up a bright face, though everyone else looks blue. Thank heaven, that I was blessed with so much of her hopeful courage. it has saved me many an unhappy hour. More sickness is brought on by folks getting a little despondent then from any other cause. I feel confident that I shall survive the war to see you all. In the skirmish at Fair Oaks, where are the bullets flew so thick, my file leader fell with a bullet through the stomach scarce taken his place when a second shot down by my right, and a third, the next man to me, fell on my left. I stooped down with another of the boys to carry [him] from the front when my comrade who is assisting me received a shot in the arm. We dropped him then and drove the Rebels from before. During that sharp action of not more than 10 minutes 1/3 of the company had fallen. get through all I was confident I should come out without serious injury. In the terrible action between Heinzelman‘s Corps and the Rebels under Longstreet on Monday the 30th June we are regiment received the long to be remembered check, I felt the same spirit of confidence.I shall write to you quite often. Please write also to me. Keep me informed of the manner in which you are situated. Above all, keep up courageous hearts. Let me know that you are happy and I assure you I will never be otherwise. I close with the off repeated assurance that we shall yet all live to see the glorious end of this unhappy war. Love, particularly to Auntie, Georgie and Sis. To you all hope, and trusting in your welfare and happiness, I remain your aff. son, J.E. Kimball
P.S. Direct all letters as before. J.E.K.
Joseph E. Kimball
Residence Ipswich MA; a 21 year-old Machinist.Enlisted on 5/23/1861 as a Private.On 5/23/1861 he mustered into \"B\" Co. MA 1st Infantry He was discharged for promotion on 1/10/1864On 1/10/1864 he was commissioned into \"E\" Co. US CT 37th Inf AD He was discharged for promotion on 12/30/1864On 12/30/1864 he was commissioned into \"F\" Co. US CT 116th Infantry He was Mustered Out on 1/17/1867Promotions:* 2nd Lieut 1/10/1864 (As of Co. E 37th USCT Infantry)* 1st Lieut 12/30/1864 (As of Co. F 116th USCT Infantry)* Capt 3/13/1865 by Brevet Other Information:born 6/12/1839 in Ipswich, MAMember of GAR Post # 22 (Major E. F. Fletcher) in Milford, MAMember of GAR Post # 73 (McPherson) in Abington, MAdied 2/22/1896(Father: John Kimball)Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.:- Massachusetts Soldiers, Sailors and Marines in the Civil War- Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Kentucky- History of Essex County, MA (1888)- GAR Dept of Massachusetts 1866-1947 (Sargent)- Official Army Register of the Volunteer Force 1861-1865- Index to Compiled Military Service Records(c) Historical Data Systems, Inc. @ www.civilwardata.com