1862 New Hampshire CIVIL WAR LETTER - Killed in Battle of Fair Oaks, Virginia

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1862 New Hampshire CIVIL WAR LETTER - Killed in Battle of Fair Oaks, Virginia :
$345.00

Civil War style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;\">Up for sale is an 1861 New Hampshire Civil war letter written from CampCalifornia near Alexandria, Virginia.Sadly, this soldier died only 6 months later in the Battle of FairOaks.

Great content and the originalpatriotic cover is included. NOTE – the imageof the Battle of Fair Oaks is not included.

FULL TRANSCRIPT, SCANS and RESEARCH NOTES below.

This letter was written by Pvt. James Delmageof Co. G, 5th New Hampshire Volunteers. He was killed at the Battle of Fair Oaks (or Seven Pines), Virginia on 1 June 1862. A history of Claremont by Otis Reed Waite (page 114) states that James “was killed instantly by a minnie ball, by the same volley that killed Charles N. Scott, and John W. Nash, and mortally wounded Charles W. Wetherbee. He was buried by his fellow soldiers in the same grave with them.

James was born at Champlain, New York, and came to Claremont, New Hampshire, in 1858. He was 26 years old when he enlisted on 3 September 1861. He was married to Virginia Lattimore (1835-18xx) in May 1855. They had two children — William Edward Delmage (b. 1860), and Ada Mary Delmage (1862-1939). Ada was born four months after this letter was written and three months before her father was killed.

Battle of Fair Oaks

TRANSCRIPTION
Addressed to Mrs. Virginia Delmage, Claremont, New Hampshire

Camp California [2½ miles from Alexandria, Virginia]
December 2nd [1861]

Dear Wife and Son,

I take these few moments to write a few lines to you to let you know that I am no better today — only worse if anything — but hope before many days to be well again and hope this may find you and dear little Eddie well. There is quite a number of sick in our tent — David H. Nichols, Sylvanus M. Tyrrell, Daniel Cummings, Charles F. Colston, Nathan Shea, and myself — so you may know how many poor fellows is sick out of 18 men. We are the right of the Division and the furthest in advance of the Grand Army of the Potomac.

I went to see the doctor this morning. He gave me a lot of powders to take. I have to take 1 every 2 hours and hope they may do me good. I do hate to take their medicine. As you know, I am no lover of medicine. The doctor told me this morning that there was 150 men sick in the regiment.

I have no news to write today. We have not got our pay yet and I think it is a shame for to use us poor volunteers as they do. If I was at home, I could cure myself in a day so as I would be alright again. I have an awful lame back and am weak and dizzy and cannot speak loud — my throat is so sore. [Albert] Howe went and got me some pepper and vinegar and a piece of flannel. I put it around my neck and I hope it will help me. I cannot eat their hard bread. Albert [Howe] went to the captain and borrowed 25¢ and bought me 2 pies and made me a good cup of tea, I shall remember him as long as I live and am glad to have such a friend in need.

I am going to write a letter to Frank and put it your letter so as you may know what it is for and when I write to you again I shall send a letter to Margaret and want you to answer as soon as you get this. And don’t fail for my sake. I sent that letter of yours back again in the other letter of yesterday.

We have miserable camping ground now. It is wet and muddy. I have learnt today that there is 150,000 men this side of the Potomac now and I should think they would begin to do something if they are going to before every man is sick. There is nothing transpired since we came here but one thing certain, there will be more men die by disease than by the bullet.

Congress met today and you will soon be able to form an idea what will transpire before long — whether peace or bloodshed — and I think it will be the latter. You may send any of my letters you choose to mother and do just as you have a mind to. I wish you would send mother some papers so as they may know what is going on in the states.

We have prayer meeting every night here and have established a Sunday school and think it will be a good thing. Give my love to all enquiring friends. I remain your ever true and faithful husband, — James Delmage

Goodbye and may God bless you and my son.

TERMS

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