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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC09273.17 |
| From Archive Folder | Collection of 50 letters of Horace J. Hammond, a soldier in the 189th regiment New York volunteers |
| Title | Letter from Horace J. Hammond to Eleanor Hammond with Christmas greetings and an account of his day |
| Date | 25 December 1864 |
| Author | Hammond, Horace J. |
| Recipient | Hammond, Eleanor |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Hopes she is having a merry Christmas. Got some sausage, apples, and soft bread for breakfast. Most of the company left for picket duty, but he stayed behind with Joseph and ten others. It has been very wet and cold for the past three or four days. It is a bit warmer today. Has been working at his shanty, but has the day off today. The new camp is about five miles farther from Petersburg than the old one. Just went to dinner; had some boiled rice. Feels "first rate." Has got some sores on his leg, including one "just below my knee" that hurt "a good deal." Got another letter on the 22nd that included his box. Had not received a letter for a long time before that. The envelopes inside got a little wet, but he was able to dry them off fairly well. The sausage was very good, but there were not many apples. Fried cakes were "first rate." Wants her to take his hat and send it down to camp. It should only cost a few cents more to ship. One of his acquaintances had been sent something similar and it only cost two cents to ship. Weather is "very nice today." Tells her that she "mustn't forget her Lord." Really wants to see Charles and Matilda. Has not had too much time to write, but as soon as the shanty is up he will have more time. Wants to see what she put in Joseph's box when it arrives. |
| Subjects | Soldier's Letter Union Forces Military History Marriage Union Soldier's Letter Civil War Holidays and Celebrations Diet and Nutrition Military Camp Health and Medical Military Uniforms Clothing and Accessories Finance Religion Children and Family Building Construction |
| People | Hammond, Horace J. (fl. 1864-1865) |
| Place written | City Point, Virginia |
| Theme | The American Civil War; Women in American History; Agriculture; Health & Medicine; Religion; Children & Family |
| Sub-collection | Papers and Images of the American Civil War |
| Additional Information | Hammond enlisted on August 17, 1864 at Avoca, NY as a Private. He served largely at City Point, Virginia, the headquarters for General Ulysses S. Grant. While at City Point, he was injured when a fellow soldier's rifle discharged and the bullet became lodged in his leg. Doctors removed the bullet and Hammond recovered without having his leg amputated. Hammond was discharged on May 30, 1865. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Civil War, Reconstruction and the Modern Era: 1860-1945 |
| Civil War: Recipient Relationship | Wife |
| Civil War: Theater of War | Main Eastern Theater |
| Civil War: Unit | 189th New York Vols., "G" Company |