Following the American Civil War Sesquicentennial with day by day writings of the time, currently 1863.

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Leverett Bradley: A Soldier-Boy’s Letters

April 25, 2013

Leverett Bradley: A Soldier-Boy's Letters (1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery.)

Md. Heights, Apr. 25, 1863.

Dear Father:

I hope this will find you improving in health. As soon as R. returned here the first questions were, if he went to see the old captain? We had a grand inspection here yesterday by Genl. Barry, Chief of artillery for the army; he complimented us on our good looks, i.e. as soldiers. I was complimented by Major R. for the neatness of an inventory of Ordanance and ordanance stores of this post, which I had to make out. The Major has no clerk now; he asked the Capt. for me but I don’t know what answer he gave. I shall keep still and if I think it is for my interest to take it, shall do so. You know I have a good position now and move or no move, I shall probably have it unless some other thing interferes. As it is now Adj. Hervey has asked the capt. if I cant go down and help him after I have made out the muster rolls, as he has more than he can attend to on account of the returns. For the last two days it has rained and the Barracks being leaky we spoke of mouving our clothes out to dry! I forgot in my last to answer a few questions. I am 5 ft. 10 in. high. Dont know my weight. Now you that have not seen me since I left home, dont go to imagining a great big fellow, because it ain’t so; but there is consolation in the fact that I have got a few years to thicken up in; but you can imagine a good looking fellow! I wish you could see the scenery, the late rains have changed the grass from a deadly color to a green. B. M. is at Fort Albany, having returned on account of the president’s proclamation to deserters. We have had five desert since we have been up here, one of Methuen’s $300 men; he had nearly $50 of G. F——’s . This makes 3 of that stamp. Methuen has lost so much of recruits. Love to all. I remain, Yours &c,

L. Bradley, Jr.

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