Soldier's Letter, Civil War, 144th NY Infantry, January 1865

 Chenango Union, January 18, 1845

Letter from the 114th New York Infantry

Stone Church, Stevenson's Depot, Va. January 1, 1865, near midnight.

There being no regimental mail sent out since the army left the front, I rejoice in the opportunity, before the day entirely closes, of wishing you all "A Happy New Year."

In a letter written a year ago this day, I think, allusions were made to the past, and hopeful anticipations for the future.  It was fondly hoped that before the end was nearly reached, peace, honorable and lasting - peace, founded upon the triumph of right, with all its blessings - would be obtained. The year has gone, and with it has closed its fearful record.  Although victory for the past few months had perched upon our banners, as at no time before, who can truthfully tell us of the end so long looked for - so confidently predicted - so much desired?

This morning, near eleven o'clock, we had moving orders. Shanties were uncovered or pulled down, the men taking their shelter, or what they could carry, tortoise fashion on their backs - some few on hand sleds - and about 2 P.M. we were on the road to Winchester and the station.  The night before we had a light fall of snow - the first having mostly disappeared - which was considerably drifted.  The day was not altogether the most agreeable for moving.  With the bright sunshine and clear sky of a May morning, we had the piercing winds and bitter cold of a Northern winter.  The boys, however, came to the conclusion that it was rather an "open winter!"  For a day or two our rations had become somewhat shortened and for lack of convenient arrangements for cooking and sleeping, we were anticipating a supper from "airy nothing," and a bed upon a sheet of snow.

Scarcely, however, had we reached the Depot, and our place of encampment nearby, and the men made as comfortable as could be expected, if not as well off as could be desired, before the officers received an invitation from Capt. Ketcham, Issuing Commissary of First Brigade, and Capt. Thomas, Commissary of First Division, to take supper, breakfast and lodging at their headquarters, in an old stone church.  Most gladly was the offer accepted.  The church, in appearance and style of architecture, is very ancient, and of the Quaker persuasion.  According to their custom of building houses of worship, it is divided nearly in the middle by a high partition, to separate the sexes, I suppose, into two compartments, with folding or sliding doors between.  It is again subdivided by a cross partition, at right angles with the first, to accommodate the Hicksites, and the Orthodox, an idea in architecture which might be of service to some Northern churches, who cannot see alike, making in all four large rooms.  A large gallery on three sides, also divided, and almost meeting in the center, with highbacked seats, terribly elevated one above the other, completes, for all practical purposes, the description except to say that in two of the lower rooms there is an immense fireplace of stone in each end.  One of these rooms was assigned to our use for eating; the other was our sleeping apartment, all occupying beds - I may say one vast bed - upon the floor.

After a little something for the "Stomach's sake," and to comfort the inner man - with well-seasoned rails heaped upon the crackling fire, and a heavy wall of stone to keep the heat in and the cold out - supper came.  And such a supper, for a soldier hungry and tired!  It was worthy a Nabob or a King!  I will give you  the "Bill of Fare:"  pork, potatoes, beef (fresh and corned), oysters, pickles, sourcrout, soft bread, tea and coffee.  If this is not sufficient to satisfy the demand of exhausted  nature - if not the most fastidious taste - what would?

To the forethought and unbounded generosity of our Commissary, Division and Brigade, this timely entertainment is due; and we trust the friends of the Regiment, in Chenango and Madison, on behalf of its officers, will everlastingly remember the names of the staid Henry S. Ketcham and the "boy," William C. Thomas, Commissaries of Subsistence.

It is Sabbath day, 'tis true, but it is "New Year's evening," and good feeling, even to jollity, prevails.  After supper, the mail having been distributed, Col. Per Lee read a letter from a couple of young ladies of Long Island, addressed "To the Bachelors of the 114th N.Y. Volunteers!"  It was a very pleasant affair.  Your "'umble" servant was called upon to respond to the sentiments therein contained. The custom which - among the leaves and bars, was quite sufficient o excuse your friend from the onerous yet delightful task.

Our new Chaplain is present, but with that propriety which dignifies his position, is passing the transition from a citizen's to a soldier's life.  Arousing from nap, and rubbing open his eyes before the fire, as I write, surrounded by snoring ones, I asked him if he ever saw such a church as this?  With a nod and a heavy wink, he seemed to say "Amen" - but said he had always been opposed to "sleeping in church" before.

I today visited Willie Comstock and others of our boys in Hospital at Winchester, suffering from sickness and wounds.  Most of them are doing well.  A ball, or a portion of one, has just been removed from Willie's limb, and the prospects are encouraging.

Capt. York, for some time mustering officer of Gen. Emory's staff, has received a Lieutenant Colonel's commission in the 75th N.Y., a position well merited and nobly earned.

Tomorrow, a hundred shanties, more or less, in the vicinity of Stevensons Depot, will "go up."  This promises, permanently now, to be our winter quarters.  Indeed it is quite certain - as sure as anything in military can be - by an order from Brevet Major General Emory.  The camp here is called "Camp Sheridan."  We are some twelve miles from Newtown, which place, less than two miles from our old camp, the printer, I have just noticed, made me say ten.   H.