GOODELL FAMILY LETTERS- #17
 

Anson to Parents

 Fort Stevenson
Newbern, N.C.
June 21^st [1863]

Dear Father and Mother

            Basset came last evening and you may well believe we were really glad to see him for as you say it seemed as though we had actually seen and conversed with our dear friends. He brings back much encouragement and today the boys are in much better spirits than usual though I would not intimate that we are usually low spirited by any means.

            The stationary, paper & envelopes has come to hand and we are under obligations for the nice little bunch of dried apples. You always send us just what we want and when we need it and we can never repay you for your many kindnesses

            We are much pleased to see our tent mate after a sojourn at home and sometimes even think that we would like to try a similar trip to dear old Dudley and visit our friends not by proxy but look them I the face and see for ourselves

            By the same boat on which Bassett arrived from New York we received a mail bringing your kind favor of the 14^th inst. Its lines are very encouraging and by them we are cheered. We look more encouragingly upon the war.

            We hear that the rebel Army are being thrown across the Potomac and some have already progressed far into the Keystone State.[1]

            We sometimes think it would be a glorious thing for the country if the rebels should howl awhile on their door stones and demolish some of their beautiful homes. It would awake them to the dangers of the rebellion and prompt them to do something more than stand off at a safe distance and set us on like fighting curs.

            The 9 months men are getting ready to go home. The 44^th had gone and the 5^th getting ready to go tomorrow. Our force will be greatly reduced in numbers yet we have nothing to fear from an attack while Lee – Ewell Longstreet and Hill are moving on Penn. We most earnestly hope that the Army will be enough for them this time. This is a bold push and shows the enemy are getting desperate mad. Now is the time to make a telling blow to the rebel cause.

            We are very glad of your letter and the stamps enclosed.

            Our health is first best. Edwin is on guard in the fort today. Showers are frequent and all Heaven’s Artillery seems to be in active play sometimes.

            I wish you could hear our thunder at times.

                                    Good bye

                                    In love your own dutiful sons A & E