Private Arthur B. Wyman, 57th
MA Regiment Volunteer Infantry, from Woburn, MA. He enlisted on March 31, 1864,
and was mustered into CO. K, 59th MAVI on April 21, 1864. He transferred to Co.
K, 57th MAVI on June 1, 1865. Wyman was wounded in action in the Siege of
Petersburg, VA, on July 30, 1864. He was taken prisoner at Petersburg on July
30, 1864, and was exchanged on February 22, 1865.
4 pp, 8” x 5”,
Tenallytown, MD, June 7th, 1865, Wyman writes to his sister Mary in Woburn, MA
(cover included).
“…At the present moment
‘All is quiet on the Potomac’ or at best in that portion of it near which we
are situated. It is not as the whole time, however, for during the night, there
are generally about four or five drunks and they vie to see which cam make the
most noise, thus making it very pleasant for those who are disposed to behave
themselves and go to sleep as decent men. There is nothing special in the way
of news for me to write. We are still in the same place and according to
present appearances, likely to remain here, although we cannot tell what may
turn up. Last Sunday afternoon, Gov. Andrews was here and made a short speech
to the soldiers. It was very hot and I suppose that was the reason that he did
not speak longer.
“He said that he hoped
to meet us in Massachusetts in a few days, and I sincerely hope that he will
not be disappointed. Our brigade is rather small now, having only three
regiments here, one of which is to leave before many days.
“Last Saturday evening,
there was a dress parade with candles, composed of two brigades. It was a
splendid sight and altogether ahead of any torchlight procession that ever I
witnessed.
“…Geo. Dana…is enjoying
his usual good health. He is beginning to despair of missing the hat as time
moves on towards the 17th. I see by the Woburn papers that they are going to
have a great time when the 39th arrives, which I suppose will be shortly. I
wish it was the 59th, although I suppose that the 39th have the best right to
come home as they have been into so much longer than we have.
“I suppose that Charlie
Winn will be at home before long, as I see that his Battery is to be mustered
out. I suppose that many men will be rejoiced at such an event. They will never
hear the last of batter 11, however.
“Do you ever send me any
newspapers? I have received but one package since leaving home and I have
pretty strong suspicions that they keep some of them at Headquarters for their
own use. I have known of them doing such things and many others complain of the
same thing.
“I suppose that you have
heard that we are to be consolidated with the 57th Mass. We are about as good
as consolidated now, although I believe that we are still considered as
separate regiments…
“Many of our officers
are coming back to the regiment now that the fighting is over. I suppose that
they would like to remain two years longer not the Privates, however.…”
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